North Korea ‘ready’ to test a nuclear weapon, claims South Korean PM Han Duck-soo
North Korea is “ready” to test a nuclear weapon and will likely do so, the prime minister of South Korea has said.
Speaking exclusively to Sky News, Han Duck-soo said that although it is “hard to know exactly when” a test would happen, “we gather that they are prepared”.
His comments come at a time when tensions on the Korean Peninsula are as high as they’ve been for several years.
In a wide-ranging interview, Prime Minister Han also said China’s recent relaxation of its strict zero COVID rules “should have come sooner” and said he’d like to see its powerful neighbour become “more rules-based”.
Prime Minister Han’s statements about North Korea come in the closing weeks of a year that has seen the isolated state fire more missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, than at any other time since leader Kim Jong Un came to power in 2011.
Last month, one missile landed in the sea to the south of the ‘Northern Limit Line’, which is the unofficial maritime border between the two countries, and closer to the South Korean coast than ever before. Another flew over Japan.
If a nuclear test is undertaken, it will be the first since 2017 and will be a major escalation at an already very tense time.
“We always have preparations for that kind of very undesirable action,” said Prime Minster Han.
“We cannot say at this moment what kind of response will be made.
“But clearly we would like to have some kind of extended deterrence capabilities, including all kind of options.”
North Korea has implied it is responding, in part, to large-scale joint military drills held last month between South Korea and the United States, action it sees as threatening and provocative.
South Korea has a relatively new president and a relatively new government. Yoon Suk-yeol was elected in March and promised a more hawkish approach to North Korea.
His government has been accused of squandering some progress made by the previous administration, where dialogue between the two countries had increased.
‘We will secure peace on our terms’
This is a criticism wholly rejected by Prime Minister Han: “You may call our strengthening our deterrence capabilities the ‘harder line,’ but that’s a natural course for any country increasing the level of self-reliance in terms of security.
“We will secure our peace on our terms, not on terms dictated by North Korea.”
He also added intel on recent images of Kim Jong Un appearing alongside his daughter.
She accompanied him to recent missile launches and has never been seen in public before. She is believed to be aged nine or ten and some have speculated she may be being groomed for the leadership.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said South Korea is prepared for ‘undesirable action’
“The launching of an intercontinental missile will be, without any doubt, a big thing for North Korea,” said Prime Minister Han.
“If he would like to show something, then that would be a very opportune time.
“Possibly the appearance of his daughter, for him, he would like to deliver some message.”
On the campaign trail, Yoon Suk-yeol also implied strongly he would take a harder line on China and be more overt about South Korea’s alliance with the United States.
As a nation, it has had to walk a tight rope between the two superpowers – China is by far its biggest trading partner and both have important roles to play in the North Korean issue.
While keen to emphasise South Korea’s warm relationship with China, Prime Minister Han spoke in direct terms about the “very big impact” China’s zero COVID policy has had on South Korea and its economy, saying “it should have ended sooner”.
He also made clear South Korea agrees with its American ally when it comes to some issues regarding China.
“South Korea and China are a very, very intimate countries, and we will continue to do that,” he said.
“But Korea, with the international community, would like to see China be more rule-based and a more universal value respecting country.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches the launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile
He was also clearer than the previous government about actively stepping up tri-lateral cooperation between the United States, Japan and South Korea. This is notable because it has previously been considered a ‘red line’ for China.
“Tri-lateral cooperation to guarantee the security and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula will be very definitely a necessity for us,” he said.
Domestically, Prime Minister Han noted that Korea, like many countries, has pressing economic challenges ahead, not least inflation, a weak currency and high housing costs.
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But this is a nation that plays an increasingly important role on the world stage and is aware of its position.
It recently bidded to host the 2030 World Expo in the southern city of Busan – with Mr Han wanting to showcase South Korea’s “structure of cooperation with other countries”.
But more action from North Korea is the eventuality that will most likely thrust it into the limelight.
Although South Korea insists it is committed to “dialogue”, the chance of a major de-escalation feels increasingly faint.
The man suspected of shooting dead two Israeli embassy workers in Washington DC leaned over and fired at them repeatedly after they fell to the ground, the FBI has said.
Elias Rodriguez, 31, has been charged with murdering Sarah Milgrim and her boyfriend Yaron Lischinsky, after they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum on Wednesday night.
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Footage has showed Rodriguez, from Chicago, chanting “free, free Palestine” as he was arrested.
It later emerged Mr Lischinsky had bought a ring and planned to propose to Ms Milgrim.
Authorities are investigating the killings as both a hate crime against the Jewish community and terrorism.
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Shootings suspect shouts ‘free Palestine!’
‘I did it for Gaza’
It comes as the FBI has said in a charging document on Thursday that surveillance footage shows how Ms Milgrim and Mr Lischinsky died.
Rodriguez is allegedly seen passing the couple after they left the museum before shooting them in the back.
The FBI says the footage then shows him leaning over the couple and firing at them several more times after they fell to the ground.
The video then shows Ms Milgrim attempting to crawl away before “(Rodriguez) followed behind her and fired again”, the charging document says.
The suspected gunman is then accused of reloading his weapon and firing at Ms Milgrim as she sat up.
According to the charging document, Rodriguez then jogged to the museum and once inside asked to speak to a police officer before stating that he “did it” and that he was unarmed.
He is then said to have told police: “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed.”
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DC shooting: Father pays tribute to ‘perfect’ daughter
Suspect ‘expressed admiration’ for fatal protest
The court document also states that 21 expended 9mm bullet cases were found at the scene and the gun was slide-locked – meaning it was empty of ammunition.
An empty gun magazine was also recovered from the scene.
The FBI says it has obtained travel records which show Rodriguez flew from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to the Reagan National in Washington DC on Tuesday with the gun in his checked baggage.
Rodriguez had bought the weapon in the state of Illinois on 6 March 2020, according to the charging document.
The FBI has said that while Rodriguez was in custody he “expressed admiration” for a US Air Force member who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC on 25 February 2024.
Aaron Bushnell died in the apparent act of protest against the war in Gaza.
Rodriguez also told police he bought a ticket to the museum around three hours before the event that was attended by Ms Milgrim and Mr Lischinsky.
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Why Trump will worry about attacker being glorified
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During a brief court appearance at the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse in Washington DC today, Rodriguez was charged with two counts of first degree murder and with the murder of foreign officials.
He has also been charged with causing the death of a person through the use of a firearm and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Rodriguez was told he could face life in prison or the death penalty if he is found guilty.
He remained calm throughout the hearing, paying attention to the proceedings throughout and confirmed that he is asking the court to appoint an attorney on his behalf.
He will next appear at a federal court in Washington DC on 18 June.
Murdered couple ‘were perfect for each other’
Meanwhile, Ms Milgrim’s father, Robert, says he feared his daughter might be in danger when he saw news alerts of a fatal shooting in Washington DC.
Ms Milgrim’s mother Nancy opened a phone locator app and saw Ms Milgrim was at the Capital Jewish Museum.
“Shortly after that, the Israeli ambassador called us on my wife’s phone,” Mr Milgrim told Sky News’ partner network NBC News, fighting back tears.
He added that it was the ambassador who told them Mr Lischinksy had bought a ring and was planning to propose to Ms Milgrim.
“They were perfect for each other, he said.
Mr Milgrim continued: “They just brought us joy, and her memory, which is a blessing, will continue to bring us joy – but it’s not the same as her not being here.”
There are multiple layers to this shocking act of extreme violence.
The presence of the US attorney general at a midnight news conference is a clear indication of the Trump administration’s shock and swift reaction. Pam Bondi had already visited the scene of the attack.
The president himself was quick to comment on social media, calling it out as antisemitism and saying: “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA.”
Israeli embassy staff shooting suspect ‘shouted free Palestine’ – follow live updates
A man with an Israeli flag kneels at the scene. Pic: Reuters
There will be immediate questions for the US authorities about the security of Israeli diplomats. The shooting happened in the downtown area of DC, not far from the FBI field office and the FBI headquarters.
The two victims are understood to be junior aides and so probably not considered particular targets. But the shooting will prompt a fresh look at diplomatic security arrangements.
A video has emerged online said to show the gunman calmly shouting “free free Palestine” as he was detained by museum security.
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Tearful witness: ‘He shot this young couple’
Pro-Palestinian protests have been intense on college campuses, outside embassies and elsewhere; the Israeli embassy in Washington has been a particular focus of protesters.
Last year, a 25-year-old active duty US airman immolated himself in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington to protest the war in Gaza.
Israel’s diplomatic relations with close allies, including the UK, France and others, have become increasingly strained over the methods used in its continuing war in Gaza.
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Emergency services at the scene of the shooting. Pic: AP
Pic: Reuters
Authorities will also be braced for how this incident plays in the days ahead.
There will be a concern within the Trump administration that this man’s actions will be given some glorification in parts of society, mainly online, in the same way Luigi Mangione became not just infamous but famous for allegedly shooting dead a healthcare executive in protest of corporate greed.
Expect prompt condemnation from the White House of any such glorification.
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There is also a deeply tragic twist to this shooting. The two young victims were a couple and were due to travel to Jerusalem in the days ahead to become engaged.
I’ve been in touch with contacts at the Israeli embassy where the entire team is in shock and reeling at the loss of two of their own on the streets of Washington.
World
Washington suspect told witness he ‘did this for Gaza’ in frenzied moments after Israeli embassy workers shot dead
Witnesses have told Sky News of the moments after a man shot two Israeli embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington DC.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgram, a couple who were about to become engaged, were shot dead as they left the Annual Young Diplomats reception at the Capital Jewish Museum in the US capital.
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Footage emerges of Washington suspect
The suspect, named as Elias Rodriguez by police, shot at a group of four people just over a mile from the White House and then chanted a pro-Palestinian slogan in custody.
The event organiser told Sky News she handed the suspect water, mistakenly believing him to be an “innocent bystander”.
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Shooting suspect shouted ‘free Palestine’
Jojo Drake Kalin said the event was wrapping up when she headed to the lobby to find “commotion and a frenzy” but at that time, no one was aware two people had lost their lives.
“The gunshots were heard, so security started locking the doors and that is when I saw who I now know is the… murderer of this Israeli-Jewish couple,” she said.
Analysis: Trump team will worry about Washington attacker being glorified
Ms Drake Kalin didn’t find out until “much later” who she was actually talking to.
“I see him [and] he seems very distraught. I now understand it’s because he killed two people point-blank. [I] offered him water, he accepted,” she said.
“The second I’ve handed him water, he whips out his keffiyeh [a scarf] and yells ‘Free Palestine’ and then he’s subdued by the officers on scene.”
Ms Drake Kalin said the event was themed around “bridge-building” between Israeli and Palestinian communities.
She called it “painfully ironic” that someone came in with “such hate and destruction”, considering the event’s theme.
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Tearful witness: ‘He shot this young couple’
Another witness, John Elleson, cried as he told Sky News correspondent Ashish Joshi what he saw.
“A guy came up and… looked like [he had a] gun, I couldn’t tell what it was, but I heard it afterwards, the shots, and he shot this young couple,” he said.
“He ran inside and yelled something.
“It was terrible. It was terrible.”
Another eyewitness, Katie Kalisher, said it was around 9.07pm when she heard gunshots.
“Then a man comes in. He looks really distressed and people are talking to him and trying to calm him down,” she said.
“Eventually, he comes over to where I was and we were like, ‘Do you need any water?’, ‘Are you okay?'”
Ms Kalisher said the suspect asked her what kind of museum he was in and when she replied, “It’s a Jewish museum,” he said: “Do you think that’s why they did this?”
She told him she didn’t think so but he then reached into his bag and pulled out a keffiyeh.
“[He] says, ‘I did it. I did this for Gaza’ – and just starts shouting ‘free Palestine’ and that’s when the police came in and arrested him,” said Ms Kalisher.
The reaction to the shooting has been one of shock, with President Donald Trump condemning the “horrible killings” which he said were “based obviously on antisemitism”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his heart ached for the families of the victims, “whose lives were cut short in a moment by an abhorrent antisemitic murderer”.
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