North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's hard-line statements about his country's relationship with the United States and planned weapons program advances reflect Pyongyang's long-term policy of building up its offensive capabilities as a means of protecting its interests and as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Washington. Their timing does not reflect a shift in North Korea's approach to U.S. relations or an impending return to 2017-style intercontinental ballistic missile or nuclear tests , but instead acts as a reminder to the incoming administration that North Korea outreach cannot be neglected. Pyongyang will most likely maintain its wait-and-see approach to feel out the new Biden administration before crossing red lines with ICBM or nuclear tests.