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| A long-range rocket engine is tested at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongchang, North Pyongan Province, North Korea, in September 2018. / Yonhap |
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Multiple sources at home and abroad said a North Korea ballistic missile test is imminent as denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyongyang have reached a deadlock.
U.S. Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun is visiting China this week following his trip to Seoul and Tokyo in a bid to seek a possible dialogue with Pyongyang, but North Korea is reiterating its position that it won't return to the table unless economic sanctions are lifted.
Pyongyang said earlier this month that it will send a "Christmas gift" to the United States, but what the gift contains will depend entirely on Washington.
U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander, Gen. Charles Brown, claimed North Korea's Christmas gift will be a long-range ballistic missile test in the coming week.
"What I would expect is some type of long-range ballistic missile would be the gift. It is just a matter of, does it come on Christmas Eve? Does it come on Christmas Day? Does it come in after the new year?" Brown said during a media conference held Washington D.C., Tuesday (EST).
"You can listen to the rhetoric and the various tests that have occurred over the past week or two that are all indications that there is activity. There is an activity that the North Koreans have actually admitted to match up with the rhetoric. And there is a pattern that you see with the North Koreans is their rhetoric precedes activity, which precedes a launch."
He added Washington is reviewing every possible option if the North tests its long-range missile technology before or after Christmas day.
"After Pyongyang tested ballistic missiles in 2017, U.S. bombers and stealth fighters paired up with South Korean fighter jets to fly near North Korea. We are looking at all the things we've done in the past," Brown said.
South Korea's National Unification Advisory Council Executive Vice Chairman Jeong Se-hyun agreed.
"It is highly likely," Jeong said during a media conference at the Sejong Center in central Seoul, Dec. 11.
"North Korea doesn't really care about China or Russia's support anymore. It wouldn't even ask for their understanding. What really matters for North Koreans is its confrontation against Washington. Pyongyang did not really develop its nuclear or intercontinental ballistic missile technologies when the peace talks were smooth. However, not only the U.S.-North Korea but also the inter-Korea relations are in a stalemate."
Jeong also displayed his skepticism on the future course of the denuclearization talks between the U.S and North Korea.
"Some have still remained hopeful over a possible deal for the denuclearization since there is a midterm election in the U.S. next year, but I think it's just wishful thinking." He added. "There is no leverage Washington can exercise at this point. The Gaeseong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang Resort have been shut down."
He added it is essential for the Moon Jae-in administration to act as an independent channel exercising its influence on Pyongyang's decision-making process.
On Monday, China and Russia proposed a draft United Nations resolution calling for the lifting of some sanctions on North Korea.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson called the proposal premature, saying the North is threatening to conduct an "escalated provocation" and refusing to meet to discuss denuclearization.
North Korea has demanded sanctions relief as part of a potential deal with the United States on dismantling its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.
It has urged Washington to offer such concessions before the end of the year and hinted at resuming nuclear and long-range missile tests if its demands are not met.
