US, South Korea Urge Kim to Negotiate After New 'Tactical Weapon' Test

APR 18 2022·Updated DEC 22 2022

Story

Image credit: KCNA/Reuters [via PBS]

The Facts

In Seoul, US special envoy for North Korea Sung Kim said US and South Korea agree on the need for the "strongest possible joint deterrence" to NK's recent spate of missile tests. The US, however, remains open to talks with NK leader Kim Jong-un without preconditions.
Independent
On Sun., NK state media reported that Pyongyang had successfully test-fired a new type of tactical guided weapon designed to boost its nuclear fighting capability, a day before the start of US-SK annual joint military drills.
CNN
The SK government and analysts have expressed concern that a larger provocation is yet to come, including a nuclear test to increase pressure on Washington and Seoul while denuclearization talks remain stalled.
Daily Mail
SK media has also reported that Pyongyang is restoring access to an underground nuclear testing facility that was closed following negotiations in 2018.
Independent
This is the 12th NK missile test in 3.5 months.
CBS News
Pyongyang is believed to have roughly 40-50 viable nuclear warheads. Earlier this year, Kim expressed a desire to develop "more powerful" weapons that "cannot be stopped."
NBC

Sources Split

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

North Korea's actions are provocative and pose a severe threat to peace and to the stability of the Korean peninsula. North Korea remains a foreign-policy headache for the United States and its allies, and it's time for the US to take an even stronger stance.

wapo

Establishment-critical narrative

North Korea's actions are purely to protect itself. This new tactical weapon gives more defense capability to Pyongyang, boosting its ability for nuclear deterrence, and to avert imperialist threats and blackmail.

WION