South Korea Warns North Korea Capable of Striking U.S. Mainland with ICBMs

Minister's Statement in Berlin

South Korea's Unification Minister Chung Dong-young recently issued a stark warning regarding North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities, stating that Pyongyang has become 'one of three countries capable of striking the U.S. mainland'. The remarks were made on Monday during a press conference in Berlin, Germany, where Minister Chung was attending events including the 2025 Global Korea Forum. He emphasized the need to 'calmly acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged' regarding North Korea's evolving strategic position.

Clarification and Context

Following Minister Chung's statement, the Ministry of Unification moved to clarify the intent behind his remarks. An official explained that the comments were meant to underscore the increasing sophistication of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities, rather than to acknowledge Pyongyang as a fully nuclear-armed state on par with China and Russia. The official noted that China and Russia already possess both nuclear capabilities and ICBMs, providing context for the Minister's comparison. Minister Chung's statements are also seen as an attempt to highlight the severity of North Korea's nuclear threat and potentially encourage a return to negotiations, despite criticisms that such an approach could undermine denuclearization goals.

North Korea's Advancing Missile Program

North Korea has significantly advanced its ballistic missile program over recent decades. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also recently warned that Pyongyang is in the final stages of developing an ICBM capable of hitting the U.S. with a nuclear weapon. Recent developments include:

• The Hwasong-19, test-launched in 2024, reportedly traveled beyond Earth's atmosphere and is believed to have the potential to strike any location within the U.S.
• The Hwasong-18, an ICBM tested in December 2023, demonstrated a potential range of up to 15,000 kilometers, theoretically putting anywhere in the U.S. within reach.
• Estimates suggest North Korea possesses up to 2,000 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, sufficient for multiple nuclear bombs, and operates four uranium centrifuges.

These advancements have consistently raised international concerns about regional stability and global security.

Diplomatic Implications and Future Outlook

Minister Chung also reflected on the breakdown of the 2019 Hanoi summit between the U.S. and North Korea, suggesting that a 'small deal' at that time could have altered the trajectory of the nuclear issue. He stressed the urgency of preventing North Korea from further developing nuclear weapons and advocated for facilitating direct talks between the U.S. and North Korea. Despite South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's expressed willingness to resume dialogue, North Korea has maintained a firm stance, indicating an unwillingness to re-engage in negotiations without preserving its existing nuclear arsenal. The ongoing situation underscores the complex diplomatic challenges in addressing North Korea's nuclear and missile ambitions.