U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) says its biggest concern regarding North Korea is a potential miscalculation of the situation by Pyongyang.

A ranking USFK official said that the American forces believe North Korea could conduct a strategic provocation such as an additional nuclear test or a missile launch without prior notice in an attempt to get out of the current situation.

It analyzed that Pyongyang’s series of strong remarks are part of the communist state’s efforts to escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula as much as possible before finding a way out.

USFK says this is intended to create an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un that is strong enough to fight against the United States.

Meanwhile, the military is prepared against the possibility of a short-range missile launch by the North or a simultaneous launch of short and medium-range missiles.