Expressing concern over the belligerent and the rhetoric emanating from nuclear-armed North Korea, a top American intelligence official has said that such statements are reflective of the attitude and intent of the authoritarian regime in Pyongyang.
“I am very concerned about the actions of the new young leader and very belligerent and the rhetoric that has been emanating from the North Korean regime. The rhetoric, while it is propaganda laced, is also an indicator of their attitude and perhaps their intent,” director of national intelligence James R. Clapper told lawmakers at a Congressional hearing.
“I am very concerned about what they might do and they are certainly, if they so chose could initiate a provocative action against the South,” he said responding to a question appearing before the Senate select committee on intelligence.
The new CIA director, John Brennan, agreed with Clapper. “It’s a very dynamic time right now with the new leader,” he said. “It also just underscores the importance of making sure that our analytic capabilities as well as our collection capabilities are as strong as possible because what we’re talking about are developments that have strategic importance and potential consequence for US interests not just in Northeast Asia but also globally.
“So I think this is one of the areas that we as an intelligence community and certainly the CIA need to pay particularly close attention to,” Brennan said. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Chairwoman of the Senate select committee on intelligence, expressed concern over the recent rhetoric of the North Korea regime.
“North Korea has claimed a third nuclear-weapons test, has displayed a rogue mobile ballistic missile, and demonstrated the capability of its Taepodong-2 missile. The regime is now disavowing the 1953 armistice with the south. There’s perhaps nowhere else on Earth where the capacity to wreak enormous damage is matched by the possibility of North Korea using their nuclear weapons,” she said.
At a news conference, the Pentagon said it is ready defend itself from any North Korean attack. “We stand ready to respond to any contingency. That is our duty, and it’s our responsibility, and it's a very strong commitment to our ally in Northeast Asia, the Republic of Korea,” Pentagon press secretary George Little said.
“North Korea’s bellicose rhetoric and threats follow a pattern designed to raise tensions and to intimidate others. North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations, which will only further isolate North Korea and undermine international efforts to pursue peace,” he said. “We continue to urge the North Korean leadership to heed President Obama’s call to choose the path of peace and come into compliance with its international obligations. Naturally, the American force in South Korea, United States Forces Korea, working closely with our South Korean allies, remains postured for any contingency. And we stand ready to protect US and South Korean interests,” he said.