US says N. Korea in 'strongest strategic position' in decades

North Korea stands in its “strongest strategic position” in decades, a US intelligence report showed, as the recalcitrant regime has been doubling down on its pursuit of advanced weapons that can threaten US forces and allies in Northeast Asia, and the US mainland.

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The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) under the US Department of Defense on Friday offered the analysis in the “2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment” that covered a wide range of security challenges from North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, and other state and non-state actors.

The assessment came amid deepening concerns over North Korea's evolving nuclear and ballistic missile threats and its military alignment with Russia based on the two countries’ “comprehensive strategic partnership” treaty signed in June last year.

"North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is increasingly confident in his international political legitimacy and regime security,” the DIA said in the report.

“North Korea is in its strongest strategic position in decades, possessing the military means to hold at risk US forces and US allies in Northeast Asia while continuing to improve its capability to threaten the US homeland,” it added.