WASHINGTON: According to a US government analysis released on Tuesday, North Korea will continue to conduct missile tests in order to enhance and advance its missile capabilities while also driving a wedge between South Korea and the United States.

According to sources, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un believes his nuclear weapons are the "ultimate guarantor" of his rule and that he would be recognised as a nuclear state over time, according to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

"Kim is likely to order missile tests, including short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs), cruise missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), and HGVs (hypersonic glide vehicles) to validate technical objectives, reinforce deterrence, and normalise Pyongyang's missile testing," according to the ODNI's Annual Threat Assessment report.

"Kim also wants to establish himself as a nuclear state with strategic clout over South Korea. Kim would almost certainly continue to try to sabotage the US-South Korean alliance by alternating between times of escalatory behaviour and symbolic gestures toward the South in order to exploit gaps in Washington's and Seoul's approaches to the Korean issue "according to the report

Since the beginning of the year, North Korea has conducted nine missile tests, including two hypersonic missile tests and the launch of an intermediate-range ballistic missile.

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