North Korea pursues nuclear missiles through deliberate testing program

Washington/Seoul: North Korea has continued to push aggressively towards developing long-range nuclear missiles capable of striking the US through a "very deliberate testing program" for systems improvement, a senior Pentagon official said.

Victorino G. Mercado, assistant secretary of defence for strategy, plans and capabilities, made the remarks during the 2020 Space and Missile Defence Symposium held online on Tuesday (Washington time), according to the transcript posted on the Pentagon website on Thursday.

"North Korea has worked aggressively to develop nuclear-capable long-range ballistic missiles able to threaten the homeland, allies and partners," Yonhap News Agency quoted Mercado as saying.

"Despite our ongoing diplomatic efforts, North Korea continues to expand its ballistic missile capabilities and conduct test launches despite international restrictions."

The official noted that while many often highlight its failed launches, the regime "has a very deliberate testing program where they push their technological limits, learn from failures and demonstrate continual improvement".

North Korea is believed to have several types of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), including the Hwasong-15 that is capable of striking any part of the American mainland, according to data by the US Forces Korea (USFK).

North Korea is believed to have secured a considerable level of technology to miniaturize a nuclear warhead for ballistic missiles, according to South Korea's Defence Ministry.

Last month, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said that the country's security and future will be guaranteed forever "thanks to our reliable and effective self-defence nuclear deterrence".