This photo, provided by the North Korean government, Saturday, shows a missile test from a railway in North Pyongan Province, North Korea, Friday. AP-Yonhap

US expected to remain committed to diplomacy with Pyongyang

By Kang Seung-woo

The recent series of North Korean missile tests ― three times in two weeks ― indicate that its leader is doubling down on his country's nuclear arms buildup, rather than seeking more concessions before re-engaging in nuclear negotiations, according to diplomatic observers.

Despite the increasing frequency of missile tests, the U.S. government, already preoccupied with a difficult domestic situation as well as other diplomatic issues, is expected to maintain its commitment to diplomacy with Pyongyang, they added.

The Kim Jong-un regime fired hypersonic missiles on Jan. 5 and 11, followed by two short-range ballistic missiles launched from a train, Friday ― something unusual for the country, which had not conducted missile tests in January for the last 13 years.

"In order to know if a missile performs as intended, you must test them. North Korea has actually done less testing of new missiles than the U.S., China or Russia did in the past. So the main reason he is testing is it is essential for obtaining the capabilities he seeks," said Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.