It hinted at the nuclear test and re-launch of ICBM-class missiles, which North Korea had been refraining from.



The Rodong Sinmun reported that North Korea held a meeting of the Politburo presided over by General Secretary Kim Jong-un yesterday (19th) and decided to quickly review the issue of resuming all activities that had been temporarily suspended.



At a plenary meeting of the Party Central Committee in April 2018, North Korea announced that it would dismantle its nuclear test site and suspend nuclear tests and ICBM test launches.




However, according to the North Korean Rodong Sinmun report, it is expressed rather complicatedly, saying, "The relevant department has given instructions to thoroughly reconsider the (US) confidence-building measures and to quickly review the issue of resuming all activities that have been temporarily suspended." there is.



Although it can be expressed as simple as 'resuming temporarily suspended activities' or 'reviewing to resume activities that have been temporarily suspended', this complicated expression means that North Korea will not immediately conduct a nuclear test or ICBM launch. I see it.



It warns the US that it may resume nuclear tests or ICBM launches, but it means that it will take more time to decide on the actual implementation.



Why is North Korea delaying implementation?



Because the Winter Olympics will be held in Beijing next month.




With China, an important ally, hosting the Winter Olympics, it seems difficult for even North Korea to resume nuclear tests and ICBM launches.



Of course, even during the Beijing Winter Olympics, North Korea may intentionally expose movements such as the restoration of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site or the maintenance of the Tongchang-ri long-range rocket launch site to try to pressure the US.



Short-range missile launches, which have been ongoing since the beginning of the year, may also occur intermittently.



North Korea's full-fledged provocation against the US is likely to be carried out from the end of February, after the Beijing Winter Olympics, or around March or April, and there is an opportunity for both South and North Korea.



In South Korea, the South Korea-U.S. joint exercise is scheduled to be held in March or April against the North Korean opposition. In North Korea, February is the 80th anniversary of Kim Jong-il's birthday, April is the 110th anniversary of Kim Il-sung's birthday, the 10th anniversary of Kim Jong-un's appointment as first secretary, and Kim Jong-un's first National Defense Commission. There are anniversaries such as the 10th anniversary of the appointment of the chairperson.



North Korea said that its hostile policy toward North Korea will continue as long as the hostile entity of the United States exists, and that it should be more thoroughly prepared for a long-term confrontation with the United States.



It means that we will not back down on the road to becoming a nuclear-weapon country by constantly developing our nuclear capabilities to stand up to the United States.



No matter who wins the presidential election in March, the first national task of the next president is likely to be North Korea.



(Photo = Chosun Central News, Yonhap News)