NK continues to develop military capabilities that pose threat to U.S. and allies: Kirby
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, right, looks at a "high-thrust solid-fuel motor" prior to its ground test at Sohae Satellite Launching Ground in Cholsan, North Pyongan Province, Dec. 15 in this photo released by the North's Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap
North Korea continues to develop military capabilities that pose serious threats to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Northeast Asian region, a White House official said Friday.
John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, made the remark after North Korea said its leader Kim Jong-un inspected the successful static firing test of a "high-thrust solid-fuel motor" for missiles.
"Again, Mr. Kim continues to pursue military capabilities that pose a threat to the region, to the peninsula, to our allies and partners, to our national security interests," Kirby said when asked about the North's weapons development efforts.
"And that's why we are going to continue to work with Japan and South Korea. (That) is why we are continuing our force presence and our exercises and training on the peninsula and in the region. And it's why we have worked to improve our own intelligence collection capabilities in and around the Korean Peninsula," he added, speaking in a virtual press briefing.
The North Korean report of its latest weapons development test comes on the heels of Pyongyang firing 63 ballistic missiles this year, setting a new record that far exceeds its previous annual record of 25.
Kirby reiterated the U.S. commitment to engaging with North Korea.
"We again restate our offer to sit down, without preconditions, with Mr. Kim," he said.
"We urge him to accept that offer, again without preconditions, so that we can try to find a diplomatic path forward to the denuclearization of the peninsula," he added.
The State Department declined to comment directly on the North's latest weapons test, but highlighted the need to hold North Korea accountable for its unprecedented number of missile tests this year.
"We have been very clear over the course of this administration that have condemned numerous provocations by the DPRK, including various ballistic missile launches, including ICBM missile tests," Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesperson for the department, said in a daily press briefing.
"And we continue to call on the international community to aid in holding the DPRK accountable," he added.
DPRK stands for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's official name. (Yonhap)