North Korea launches ICBM in front of U.S. presidential election...What's next? The 7th nuclear test?

[Anchor]
North Korea has recently launched a long-range ballistic missile that can strike all over the U.S. mainland and launched an armed provocation.

Amid the analysis that it is trying to show off its presence ahead of the U.S. presidential election, there are observations that it may soon conduct its seventh nuclear test.

The South Korean military warns that North Korea is responsible for all the provocations, raising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the U.S. presidential election is imminent.

Reporter Hong Sun-ki reports.

[Reporter]
North Korea test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile and ICBM less than a week before the U.S. presidential election.

Immediately after the launch, he revealed that he was a "Hwasong-19" type, which was advanced from the latest "Hwasong-18 type," and emphasized that it was the "final final version."

The high-angle launch was also carried out this time, but assuming a normal launch, the range is more than 15,000 kilometers, and the entire U.S. mainland is within range.

As expected, it is interpreted as a show of force to show off its presence ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

[Chosun Central Television Report: (Chairman Kim Jong Un) expressed great satisfaction that he showed the world that our hegemonic position is absolutely irreversible]

Given the time left until the U.S. presidential election, it is widely expected that North Korea's armed provocations will not stop there.

Some even predict that the peak of the provocation will be a nuclear test.

Our intelligence authorities believe North Korea is ready for its seventh nuclear test.

[Park Sun-won/Secretary of the Democratic Party of Korea Intelligence Committee (last month, 30th): The possibility of a seventh nuclear test cannot be ruled out. Currently, internal preparations at Punggye-ri, Gilju-gun, North Hamkyong Province, North Korea's nuclear test site appear to be over]
The timing of the
nuclear test is expected to weigh when North Korea can maximize its effectiveness, and the next U.S. president is likely to be right after the presidential election.

The South Korean military, which responded to the North's ICBM launch with a joint air drill between the U.S. and South Korea, has also made clear its warning against further provocations.

[Ahn Chan-myung/Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations: We strongly urge the immediate end of acts that harm peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the international community, including preparations for a nuclear test. I once again sternly warn that North Korea is solely responsible for all subsequent events.]

Amid growing concerns over North Korea's nuclear test, tensions on the Korean Peninsula are expected to rise as the U.S. presidential election approaches.

This is YTN Hong Seon-gi.