Kim is also more likely to proceed firing nuclear-capable missiles in an effort “to normalize Pyongyang’s missile testing,” the 2023 Annual Risk Evaluation report mentioned.

North Korea has performed six nuclear assessments since 2006, with every blast rising in depth. Its final nuclear take a look at was in 2017.

“North Korea most likely is getting ready to check a nuclear gadget to additional its acknowledged army modernization targets,” mentioned the report by the Workplace of the Director of Nationwide Intelligence.

“Kim nearly definitely views nuclear weapons and ICBMs as the final word guarantor of his autocratic rule and has no intention of abandoning these applications, believing that over time he’ll acquire worldwide acceptance as a nuclear energy,” the report mentioned.

Additionally learn: US imposes recent sanctions to limit North Korea’s revenues

North Korea funds its nuclear applications partly from the proceeds of felony exercise, together with cryptocurrency theft, it mentioned.

“In a single heist in 2022, Pyongyang stole a report $625 million from a Singapore-based blockchain expertise agency,” it mentioned.

In recent times, it has test-fired intercontinental and ballistic missiles at an more and more brisk tempo, firing greater than 60 of them final yr alone.

Up to now six months, North Korea “timed its missile launches” to coincide with joint US-South Korea army workout routines.

“Pyongyang most likely desires the alliance to lower the tempo and scale of the workout routines with the final word purpose of undermining the power” of US-South Korea protection ties, the report mentioned.