On the 25th (local time), Director General Avril Haines of the National Intelligence Agency said, “North Korea is prepared to conduct additional nuclear tests at any time.” North Korea has not conducted nuclear tests since its sixth test on Sept. 3, 2017.
On the same day, Director General Haines noted in a statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee that “North Korea will continue its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) flight tests and is pursuing stronger strategic and conventional capabilities that could target the U.S. mainland.”
Regarding North Korea’s behavior, she evaluated that “this aims to strengthen North Korea’s influence and status, defend the regime, and implicitly be recognized as a nuclear-armed state.”
Director General Haines stated, “The strengthened strategic partnership with Russia is providing Kim Jong Un with greater financial, military, and diplomatic support, reinforcing these goals,” adding, “Kim Jong Un sees advancements in strategic weapons, deepening relations with Russia, and the need for economic resilience as factors for strengthening negotiation power against U.S. denuclearization demands and reducing the necessity for sanctions relief.”
The National Intelligence Agency, in a separate announcement of the '2025 Annual Threat Assessment Report,' stated, “Kim Jong Un perceives the strategic weapons program as a means of guaranteeing regime security and as a matter of national pride,” noting, “He has no intention of giving it up through negotiations.”