The highest-ranking North Korean official to defect in decades spoke to CBS’ “60 Minutes,” warning that the U.S. should not underestimate dictator Kim Jong-un.

Thae Yong-ho was North Korea’s deputy ambassador in London before he defected in August with his wife and two sons.

His appearance on Sunday’s episode of “60 Minutes” was his first time walking in public since fleeing to South Korea.

Kim Jong-un continues to expand and develop his country’s weapons, despite crippling sanctions and widespread poverty. North Korea tested a new ballistic missile this week, fired from a mobile launcher using a new type of solid fuel engine.

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“Kim Jong-un strongly believes that once he possesses ICBM [intercontinental ballistic missile], then he can easily scare off America,” Thae said. “Kim Jong-un’s capability to wreak harm, not only to America but also South Korea and the world, should not be underestimated.”





Shortly after the missile launch, Kim’s estranged half-brother was killed, poisoned in a Malaysian airport — South Korea intelligence believes Kim directed the assassination.

Thae said he doesn’t doubt that Kim would kill him and send his remaining family in North Korea — a brother and sister — to prison camps.

The “60 Minutes” crew visited the border separating North and South Korea, a tense 2.5-mile demilitarized zone. On the Northern side, a fake village was erected to impress the South, and massive speakers blare propaganda. Thousands of pieces of artillery are aimed at Seoul just out of sight.

U.S. Air Force Gen. James Slife said South Korean and American forces are always prepared for the worst.

“This is truly one of those places where the best way to prevent a war is being ready for a war,” he said.

The U.S. is set to deploy a new missile defense system in South Korea, a commitment new Defense Secretary James Mattis reaffirmed on a recent trip to the country.

Gen. Vincent Brooks, who leads U.S. forces in Korea said Kim’s goals are “survival and recognition.”

“What it takes to go from the condition we’re in at this moment to hostilities again is literally the matter of a decision on North Korea’s side to say fire. And on top of this we have the missile capability that’s been developed, over 120 missiles fired just in the time of Kim Jong-un alone,” he said.

“North Korea’s responsible for the direction that the region is going. It is responsible for the conditions of instability that are starting to arise. It has to take responsibility for that and stop.”

U.S. intelligence estimates that North Korea has at least 10 nuclear weapons, CBS News reports.

“If North Korea uses nuclear weapons, it will be met with an effective and overwhelming response,” Brooks said. “Now they can take it to the bank. We make that same point to our allies and partners, like the Republic of Korea and like Japan.”