No immediate signs of provocation from N. Korea but preparing ICBM, satellite launches: JCS

While there is no indication of an imminent provocation North Korea is prepared for an intercontinental ballistic missile launch or a satellite mission at any time.

This is according to South Korean military officials.

Our Kim Bo-kyoung reports.

No immediate signs of North Korean missile launches have been detected since Trump's inauguration, but preparations for a spy satellite or an ICBM continue.

This is the recent assessment made by the Joint Chiefs of Staff on North Korea. released on Friday.

Regarding Pyongyang's potential missile launches, the regime had earlier this month already fired two missiles before Trump was sworn in as the new U.S. president.

And, the JCS says the North appears to be ready to launch short-range ballistic and cruise missiles at any time.

Yet, as Trump has delivered a message to resume talks, one expert says it is unlikely that Pyongyang will be highly provocative.

"In response to President Trump's conciliatory message, it is unlikely that North Korea will conduct a high-intensity display of force, such as an ICBM launch."

Meanwhile, Pyongyang has been dismantling and removing the materials from the Kaesong Industrial Complex's Comprehensive Support Center for over a month, since mid-December last year.

Considering that North Korea had shown similar activities before demolishing the inter-Korean liaison office in June 2020, the same expert again says the possibility of utterly blowing up the complex would take some time.

"North Korea has already dismantled symbolic South Korean buildings and facilities in the Geumgangsan Mountain area and destroyed the inter-Korean liaison office. Given that it is unclear what benefit would come from destroying the Kaesong Industrial Complex, they could dismantle, but it would take time to demolish."

When it comes to North Korea sending troops to Russia. the South's military expects Pyongyang to accelerate preparations for additional deployments with around four months already having passed since the first troop deployment.

It is likely, given the fact that the battle nearing its end could get fierce, but the expert said the relationship between Russia and the U.S. could bring a change in Kim Jong-un's decision.

Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.