north korea is aiming for the u.s. presidential election...showing off your presence with icbm?

Possible launch of ICBMs capable of striking the U.S. mainland
It is likely to show off its actual ability to strike the U.S. mainland with normal angle firing
Kim Jong-un Orders ICBM Operations Unit's 'Thorough Response Posture'
It also raises the possibility of a seventh nuclear test to demonstrate a certain presence.

[Anchor]
There is a growing prospect that North Korea will launch armed provocations around the U.S. presidential election to increase its presence in relations with the next U.S. government.Amid the possibility of launching an ICBM capable of hitting the U.S. mainland

, some are cautiously predicting that it will conduct a nuclear test.

Reporter Hong Sun-ki reports.

[Reporter]
Prospects have been steadily raised that North Korea will launch armed provocations before and after the U.S. presidential election.

From the perspective of North Korea, it is necessary to show off its presence in order not to be pushed back in relations with the next U.S. government.

Given that the level of provocation should of course be at a level that can pose a threat to the United States, the possibility of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles and ICBMs is highly anticipated.

This is because the ICBM launch, which places the entire eastern United States within range, can confirm the real threat.

Until now, it has been a high-angle launch that is relatively easy to re-enter the atmosphere, but this time, it is expected to show that it can actually fly to the mainland of the United States through a normal angle launch.

[KIM YONG HYUN / Minister of National Defense: To do so, high-angle launch is not possible because it is their goal to successfully test the (atmospheric) reentry. It can also be tested by firing at a normal angle.

Coincidentally, North Korean State Councilor Kim Jong-un recently inspected and disclosed strategic missile bases operating ICBMs.

[Chosun Central TV Report: (Chairman Kim Jong-un) urgently calls for a stronger deterrence of war and a stricter response to nuclear force.]

There is also a cautious possibility that the North's provocations could go beyond the launch of an ICBM and conduct its seventh nuclear test.

They will only be aiming for a time and a way to demonstrate their presence in the next U.S. government in the most obvious way.

[Cho Chang-rae, Director of Defense Policy Division: We will fully consider the political schedule of the United States, but above all, we intend to make such a strategic provocation at a time when North Korea can achieve its intended purpose most effectively.]

Amid the rising possibility of North Korea's intense armed provocation, tensions on the Korean Peninsula are expected to increase as the U.S. presidential election approaches.

This is YTN Hong Seon-gi.