Washington: A top U.S. intelligence official said Tuesday that North Korea may be prepared to carry out its seventh nuclear test "on short notice" and continues to test intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to show their military clout as leverage in future negotiations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made the remarks during a congressional testimony on the annual threat assessment of the U.S. intelligence community. Gabbard stated, "North Korea is probably prepared to conduct another nuclear test on short notice and continues to flight test ICBMs to demonstrate their increasing capabilities as leverage in future negotiations," during a statement to the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.