Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un's younger sister has threatened North Korea is ready to test a true-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the mainland United States.
The threat was made by Kim Yo Jong in a statement released by the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, on Tuesday (20/12). In the statement, the woman, who currently holds a high position in the ruling Workers' Party, also dismissed the skepticism of experts around North Korea's ICBM technology and vowed to prove the intercontinental ballistic missile's toughness with tests.
Over the past few years so-called experts have said that our ICBM technology is untested. It seems clear that they are trying to underestimate the capabilities of our strategic weapons in such a way that it can only be proven by firing them at a real range," said Kim Yo Jong.
"I will give an easy answer for that. We can try it right away and once you see it, you will know," said Kim Yo Jong again.
North Korea has already tested an ICBM missile that is claimed to be a new type, namely the Hwasong-17 last November. The missile test, which is said to be able to reach the US mainland, is claimed to be successful.
So far this year, North Korea has conducted at least 35 missile tests of various types.
At the end of last week, North Korea also fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea, which South Korea suspects were a type of medium-range missile.
Earlier this week, North Korea's National Space Development Administration (NADA) said it had carried out the final stage of testing the development of a spy satellite, which is scheduled for completion in April 2023.
The test was carried out at the Sohae satellite launch station in Tongchang-ri and was part of final-stage tests to review the country's ground control system satellite imaging, data transmission and control capabilities.
KCNA also released low-resolution black and white images of the South Korean capital, Seoul, and Incheon. The picture was taken on Sunday (18/12).
"The skepticism called by South Korean experts over the two photos taken by the color test camera and their evaluation of the development and preparation of my country's spy satellite is also extremely inappropriate and reckless," Kim Yo Jong said as quoted by CNN.
Kim Yo Jong claimed the test of the spy satellite was carried out correctly and the results are known to the public.
"Through the tests, important technical indicators such as camera operation technology, data processing and transmission capabilities of communication devices, as well as the tracking and control accuracy of ground control systems were confirmed in space environment conditions," he said.
"We will stand firm in the reconnaissance satellite development project our Labor Party has decided on, whatever the cost."