South Korean presidential office: “North Korea may launch an ICBM within this year”

Kim Tae Hee-yo, first deputy director of the National Security Office of the South Korean presidential office, arrived in Washington, D.C. on the 14th (local time) and said, ``North Korea could launch an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) as early as December.''
I think it's sexual," he said. Kim, who arrived at Dallas Airport near Washington DC to attend the second U.S.-Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting, asked reporters about his earlier remarks.
When asked if this information was shared between South Korean and US authorities, he answered, ``I cannot reveal anything further.'' Deputy Minister Kim said, ``Ballistic missiles are a subject of consideration for extended deterrence between South Korea and the United States.
``Regardless of the length (range) of a ballistic missile, if it is equipped with a nuclear weapon, it becomes a nuclear threat and a nuclear attack against us,'' he said.
He continued, ``If we prevent North Korea's nuclear attack in advance, but North Korea still makes the wrong decision,
``Extended deterrence'' is how quickly and firmly we can suppress a nuclear attack.'' Deputy Minister Kim will discuss concrete measures to strengthen nuclear deterrence against North Korea at the second NCG meeting to be held on the 15th.
. The U.S.-South Korea NCG is a follow-up measure to the Washington Declaration agreed upon at the U.S.-South Korea summit held on the occasion of President Yoon Seo-gyul's state visit to the United States in April this year, and is a
The first meeting was held in Seoul in July to play a central role in negotiating and advancing a bilateral approach, including guidelines for responding to North Korean attacks, with a second meeting scheduled for later this year.
They agreed to hold a meeting.