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North Korea’s Kim Jong-un will ramp up missile tests until Trump softens on denuclearisation: analysts
- North Korea’s recent short-range missile tests could mark the start of more provocative launches of long-range missiles if Washington continues having a tough stance, experts say
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North Korea is likely to ramp up missile tests until the United States softens its tough line on denuclearisation, testing the Trump administration’s resolve after it insisted Pyongyang’s latest launches have not scuppered prospects for a deal, analysts said.
Pyongyang fired multiple projectiles – including what analysts believe were multiple rockets and at least one short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) test – from its east coast into the Sea of Japan on Saturday.
Vipin Narang, a nuclear proliferation expert at MIT, said Pyongyang’s probable SRBM test at the weekend could mark the start of more provocative launches of long-range missiles if Washington did not back down from its insistence on complete disarmament before sanctions relief.
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In 2006, North Korea “salami-sliced its way to the Taepodong [intercontinental ballistic missile] test by starting with SRBMs”, said Narang, referring to the act of clandestinely achieving an unlawful goal in incremental steps. “This could be the beginning of that playbook.”
Harry Kazianis, director of Korean studies at the Center for the National Interest in Washington, said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was likely to escalate the situation if the Trump administration did not compromise on its stance.
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