US Intel Sounds Alarm on North Korea's Use of Chemical Weapons

A new U.S. intelligence report published on Monday raised alarms about North Korea's deployment of chemical weapons, among other threats posed by the hermit kingdom.

The report, an annual worldwide threat assessment from the U.S. intelligence community, was compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. In it were discussed the recent actions and movements of nations antagonistic to the U.S., such as China and Russia, and the state of certain classifications of attack, including nuclear strikes and cyber attacks.

Amongst the information contained in the report was a breakdown of North Korea, the intensely isolated and authoritarian East Asian nation known for its frequent threats against South Korea and the U.S. At one point, the report noted North Korea for its use of chemical weapons while discussing the ways in which they are used outside of "state-on-state military operations" and might develop in the future.

"The use of chemical weapons, particularly in situations other than state-on-state military operations, could increase in the near future," the report explained. "During the past decade, state and non-state actors have used chemical warfare agents in a range of scenarios, including the Syrian military's use of chlorine and sarin against opposition groups and civilians, and North Korea's and Russia's use of chemical agents in targeted killings. More state actors could use chemicals in operations against dissidents, defectors, and other perceived enemies of the state; protestors under the guise of quelling domestic unrest; or against their own civilian or refugee populations."

Newsweek reached out to foreign defense experts via email for further insight on Monday evening. Any responses received will be added to this story in a later update.

Notably, North Korea has been accused of orchestrating the plot that saw Kim Jong-nam, the older brother of leader Kim Jong-un, assassinated using a chemical weapon, VX nerve toxins, which were smeared on his face by two unwitting women at an airport in Malaysia.

Elsewhere, the report said that North Korea and Kim will continue to seek partnerships with key foreign allies as it pursues economic stability, security, and global acceptance as a nuclear power, all of which it said have been hampered by "nearly two decades of severe UN sanctions and its self-imposed COVID-19 lockdown."

"Today, it is pursuing stronger ties with China and Russia with the goal of increasing financial gains, diplomatic support, and defense cooperation," the report explained. "Kim almost certainly has no intentions of negotiating away his nuclear program, which he perceives to be a guarantor of regime security and national pride. In addition, Kim probably hopes that he can use his bourgeoning defense ties with Russia to pursue his goal of achieving international acceptance as a nuclear power."

As part of this goal, the report noted that North Korea has been providing munitions to Russia for use in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

As of January 2023, North Korea was estimated to have around 30 nuclear warheads, with the materials on hand for the creation of 50-70 more, according to the Arms Control Association.