Last week, North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the sea from its east coast. The test-firings were Kim Jong-un’s first major provocation since President Biden took office in January.
Harry Kazianis, senior director for the Center for the National Interest, warned that North Korea is likely to test more missiles “to lash out” at US President Joe Biden.
This week the UN warned that North Korea has likely developed the ability to mount nuclear warheads onto its intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The warning adds to international concern over Pyongyang’s growing weapons capabilities.
Mr Kazianis added how Kim Jong-un will continue to test missiles and nuclear weapons to show the US it can “kill millions of people”.
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They also “agreed on the imperative for full implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions by the international community, including North Korea, preventing proliferation, and cooperating to strengthen deterrence and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.”
Japanese officials said North Korea’s weapons tests last week were ballistic missiles, which are banned by UN security council resolutions.
President Biden has warned North Korea against violating the UN resolutions.
Speaking at a news conference last week, the president said “there will be responses” if North Korea choose to escalate its banned missile tests.
Mr Biden added: “I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearisation.”