North Korea may test ICBM, hold military drills in March or April, South Korea lawmakers say

South Korean lawmakers say that North Korea will likely test its new intercontinental ballistic missile this month or in April. The lawmakers added that Pyongyang may also decide to hold large-scale military drills at this time.

South Korean lawmakers on Tuesday said that North Korea may hold large-scale drills and test its new ICBM in March or in April following a briefing from the South Korean National Intelligence Service.

The agency notes that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s first child is a son who has yet to make a public appearance, as well as a third child. Kim’s daughter, known as Kim Ju-ae, has been making public appearances with her father in recent months, which led to speculation that she was being groomed to succeed Kim.

However, the agency said Kim Ju-ae’s public appearances are most likely due to Kim aiming to prove the legitimacy of the fourth-generation succession, according to lawmakers.

Regarding North Korea’s food situation, the agency said it was because of Pyongyang’s grain policy, distribution challenges, and the COVID situation. However, the NIS said the situation was not severe enough that it would threaten the regime. The agency cited a report that North Korea was facing an annual shortage of 800,000 tons of rice.

On the same day, the North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported Kim’s sister Kim Yo-jong issued a warning to the United States and South Korea. Kim Yo-jong threatened that an attempt to intercept North Korea’s missile tests would be a declaration of war. Kim Yo-jong also blamed the joint military drills of the US and South Korea for the flared tensions in the region.

Kim Yo-jong also hinted that Pyongyang may fire more missiles into the Pacific Ocean. While the US and its allies have never intercepted North Korean missiles, the warning comes as Pyongyang suggested that it intends to shoot more missiles over Japan.

“The Pacific Ocean does not belong to the dominion of the US and Japan,” said Kim Yo-jong.

In a separate statement, the head of the foreign news section of the North Korean foreign ministry accused the US of worsening the situation by carrying out joint air drills with the use of a B-52 bomber on Monday and planning joint field exercises with South Korea.