Washington (AsiaNews) –North Korea's chemical weapons stockpile and weapons of mass destruction programme “pose the greatest threat to theUnited Statesalong with that ofIran,” director of National Intelligence John Negroponte stated. “IranandNorth Koreaare the states of most concern to us because their regimes disregard international opprobrium, flout UN Security Council restrictions on their nuclear programs, pervert the legitimate purposes of governance, and ignore the needs and rights of their citizens,” he added.
According to Lt. Gen. Michael Maples, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the problem had already been highlighted last year. “In the intervening twelve months,Pyongyangsubstantiated our concerns. By pressing forward with its nuclear weapon and missile programs, North Korea threatens to destabilize a region that has known several great power conflicts over the last hundred years and now comprises some of the world's largest economies”.
Maples further testified that "the DIA believesNorth Koreahas had a longstanding chemical weapons stockpile,” adding that there was “no immediate prospect of regime collapse” and that the country's ideological indoctrination fostering extreme nationalism contributes to the strength of the regime.
Pyongyanghas a 5-megawatt "research" reactor. In July it test-launched a long-range ballistic missile, known as Taepodong-2, that technically can reach the US West Coast.
Maples noted that while Taepodong-2 failed shortly after the launch,Pyongyangdemonstrated its ability to target US forces as well asSouth KoreaandJapan.
