Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Trump arrives in Sharm el-Sheikh

DPRK honing ICBMs capable of reaching US: Ex-intel officer

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Sep 2023 10:39
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

The American intelligence officer worked for decades in the Korean Peninsula and was tasked with implementing Washington's policy to subdue the DPRK and ensure a more US-friendly region.

  • x
  • Exert more pressure, sanctions on DPRK: Ex-US Intelligence officer
    Citizens of the DPRK protest US policies against their country and confirm their support to their government in repelling Washington's hostility in Pyongyang, DPRK, on August 9, 2017 (AFP)

Arriving at the Korean Peninsula decades ago as a US military intelligence officer, Syd Seiler has had hands-on experience dealing with events that led to the rise of the nuclear conflict between the DPRK and South Korea fueled by the United States and its regional allies, including Japan.

With over 40 years of experience, Seiler has engaged in directing strategic assessments, formulating national policy, and advising military commanders and the political leadership in South Korea, in addition to secretly negotiating with senior officials from the DPRK and surrounding nations such as China.

In his retirement message, Seiler said he believes that the US-led international community must continue to exert pressure and adopt sanctions against Pyongyang and should not accept the fact that the East Asian country has become a nuclear power, the former spy told AP.

Read more: Pax Americana industry, nuclear 'madmen', and the umbrella illusion

“That’s a failure of deterrence?” he asked, rhetorically. “That’s nonsense. We’re deterring an attack.”

Seiler said DPRK's actions and statements are not random but follow a strategic and rhythmic approach. Pyongyang uses a combination of military exercises, missile tests, and threats of launching a “deluge of fire” on South Korea.

This tactic, according to Seiler, is seen as a means to postulate its position in the region and achieve its objectives, which include asserting its sovereignty, deterring potential adversaries and threats, or enhancing its position in negotiations.

Related News

Venezuelan VP warns US hostility could disrupt global energy market

Tehran dismisses Trump’s rhetoric, demands 'actions not words'

However, Seiler claimed that Pyongyang's fear is only focused on outside threats, rather also from within.

Decades-long sanctions and embargo against the country have left it suffering from a number of humanitarian issues, including a shortage of food and medical supplies.

The former intelligence service member said he believes that this seige would result in what could mount to an "internal uprising" against the DPRK's ruling party, hinting that this is a real objective of the strategy pursued by the US; an artificial and Western orchestrated economic challenge and commodity scarcity, which would portray Pyongyang in front of the country's citizens as responsible for the all domestic problems.

Read more: DPRK warns US of nuclear deterrence if it continues 'hostile policy'

Despite claiming that the DPRK's "main fear" today comes from "internal threats", Seiler warned that the country has bolstered its capabilities to produce missiles capable of reaching the "protector of South Korea"; the United States. In his statement, the ex-spy indicated that the DPRK's power has evolved beyond deterring regional hostile countries and has become capable of reaching the superpower's mainland.

Pyongyang was "clearly developing capabilities that would enhance its position vis-à-vis South Korea. And so going forward, this is where the room for concern is."

The United States recently escalated its military presence in the East Asia region and boosted its security ties with Japan and South Korea, most notably regarding nuclear cooperation. Pyongyang described the emerging bloc as a "NATO-style nuclear alliance." This view was also shared by China, as it is the main target of the US-led hypermilitarized group.

In July, the US deployed its second nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) submarine in South Korea. The move came shortly after the three allies agreed to unite a nuclear response in case of a war with the DPRK.

Several global powers, including China and Russia, have expressed serious concerns about the United States' activities in the region. Both nations have issued warnings, emphasizing that Washington's aggressive militarization strategy in the South China Sea poses a significant threat to regional stability and increases the risk of a potential nuclear conflict.

  • United States
  • East Asia
  • Japan
  • DPRK
  • South China Sea
  • nuclear weapons
  • South Korea

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’
Politics

UK extends jet patrols over Poland as NATO builds ‘drone wall’

Thousands trapped in El Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report
Politics

Thousands trapped in El-Fasher siege on ‘edge of survival': Report

Trump links aid to Milei’s midterm success, blackmailing Argentinians.
US & Canada

Trump 'extorts' Argentinians, links aid to Milei’s midterm success

Six foreigners barred as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk
Politics

6 foreigners' visas revoked as US polices speech on Charlie Kirk

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS