Berlin: Unification Minister Chung Dong-young has stated that North Korea possesses the capability to strike the U.S. mainland, referencing the North's recent advancements in intercontinental ballistic missile technology. This assertion was made during a press conference in Berlin, where Chung is visiting to participate in a ceremony celebrating German unification.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chung remarked that North Korea is now among the few nations capable of targeting the U.S. mainland, emphasizing the need for rational acknowledgment of this development. North Korea asserts it has solidified its position in missile development, following the successful test launch of the Hwasong-19 intercontinental ballistic missile last October, which it claims can reach the U.S. mainland.

Chung also highlighted a shift in North Korea's strategic standing compared to when Kim Jong-un first met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore in 2018. He suggested that recognizing this change should be the foundation for future engagements with the regime.

Addressing the possibility of another summit between Kim and Trump, Chung mentioned that both leaders have shown interest in meeting again, citing recent messages from Kim directed at the U.S. and South Korea. However, Chung indicated that the U.S. may not be willing to financially support North Korean initiatives, even if a security agreement is reached.

Chung concluded by suggesting that any economic reform and opening in North Korea would likely require cooperation with South Korea.