North Korea somewhat catches some attention in a very quiet start to the week, end to the year. State media KCNA reported that, on Sunday, leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the need to take “positive and offensive measures for fully ensuring the sovereignty and security of the country”. Kim said that at the largest plenary session of the Workers’ Party since 2013.
Separately, ABC reported that North Korea promised to deliver a “Christmas gift” to the US. Some saw that as echoing the “positive and offensive measures” and could point to some long-range missile tests, or even more nuclear weapons tests.
On the issues, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said: “We’ll reserve judgment, but the United States will take action as we do in these situations. If Kim Jong Un takes that approach, we’ll be extraordinarily disappointed and we’ll demonstrate that disappointment.”
