SEOUL – North Korea is reportedly in the final stage of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of striking the United States with a nuclear weapon, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said on September 25. However, Pyongyang has yet to master the critical atmospheric re-entry technology required to successfully deliver a nuclear payload.
President Lee, speaking from New York during an investor relations event at the New York Stock Exchange while attending the U.N. General Assembly, described North Korea’s missile program as persistent, with development continuing either for negotiation leverage with the U.S. or to solidify the regime internally.
“They are continuing to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, carrying a nuclear bomb,” Lee said. “It appears they haven’t achieved success yet, but they are in the final stage, only with the so-called atmospheric re-entry technology left. That, too, is likely to be resolved soon.”Last year, North Korea launched its largest ICBM to date, the Hwasong-19, which flew deep into space and is believed capable of reaching any target in the U.S. However, experts remain doubtful about the country’s ability to precisely guide the missile and protect the warhead during atmospheric re-entry.
President Lee emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump remains the “only” person who can negotiate directly with North Korea. Trump has expressed willingness to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un possibly within the year.Since taking office in June, Lee has sought improved dialogue between the Koreas but noted that Pyongyang has so far rejected such overtures. He warned North Korea has secured enough nuclear weapons to sustain its regime and called for negotiations to halt further production and move toward denuclearization in the long term.“Let’s reduce nuclear weapons in the mid-term.
Let’s pursue denuclearization in the long term,” Lee stated. Kim Jong Un has said there is no reason to avoid talks if the U.S. stops insisting on complete denuclearization.This development comes amid heightened security concerns in the region, underscoring ongoing challenges to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.