A top CIA official on the Korean Peninsula has warned that the U.S. should brace for a “new provocation” on Columbus Day.
Columbus Day, which falls on Monday, October 9, coincides with the anniversary of the 1945 founding of the Workers’ Party of North Korea, the political party that governs North Korea.
According to Yong Suk Lee, deputy assistant director of the CIA’s Korean Mission Center, this could mean that a strike on the United States could be coming in less than a week.
Lee, who made the jarring claims in a speech at George Washington University in Washington, DC, didn’t speculate on what North Korea would do on Columbus Day—but they have a long history of launching missiles or nuclear tests on major dates, such as the birthday of their current leader, Kim Jong-Un.
However, Lee was quick to stress that even if North Korea launches a missile strike, it’s unlikely that they would intentionally provoke a war.
“The last person who wants conflict on the peninsula is actually Kim Jong-Un,” added Lee, explaining that Kim, like many dictators, wants to avoid a destructive war with a major power. “We have a tendency in this country and elsewhere to underestimate the conservatism that runs in these authoritarian regimes.”
AAN Staff
The staff at American Action News are consummate professionals, who when not producing original, hard-hitting content, are scouring the internet to bring you the unfiltered news that matters to you! Our mission is to maximize your experience on our website. If we can ever be of assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know!
