The United States military’s top intelligence official has expressed concerns that North Korea could carry out another nuclear test.
 
Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, presented the view to a House committee hearing in a written statement produced jointly with other defense officials.
 
Stewart based his concern on the fact that North Korean officials mentioned the possibility of additional nuclear tests after the United Nations adopted a resolution on the North’s human rights in November last year.
 
Stewart said that Pyongyang is developing nuclear-tipped long-range missiles that can reach the United States. He said the North is also seeking to enhance the operational capability of its road-mobile KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile.
 
Stewart projected that the North will conduct additional missile launches this year as part of efforts to modernize its missile unit.
 
The U.S. official added that North Korea is the world’s largest exporter of ballistic missiles and expressed concerns over the North’s cyber attack capabilities.
 
Stewart, however, said that the North’s conventional capabilities are not a threat, adding the North’s pursuit of missile and nuclear deterrence reflects its lack of conventional weapons.
 
He said that North Korea's nuclear development and military buildup pose a serious threat to regional security.