North Korean Missile Can Be Intercepted By The US

North Korean Missile Can Be Intercepted By The US

Admiral Sam Locklear, the US Pacific Command commander, revealed that the US has the capability of responding to a North Korean missile launch against the United States. He also indicated that the recent tension is at its highest level ever since an armistice was declared between the two countries in the Korean peninsula.

Officials in South Korea revealed that the North may launch Musdan missiles as early as Wednesday. However, US intelligence and military official that there were no indications of an imminent launch from the east coast of the North.

Although the North Korean missile has a range of around 2,100 miles, it may not reach Hawaii or the US mainland. Guam may be at risk but the US is capable of protecting the island. He added that the US forces are capable of defending its forward-deployed forces and its allies.

He added that although they can intercept any missile launched by the North, he is not recommending intercepting it until the US can determine its target. They are also capable of knowing where the missile will go to and what needs to be done.

The role of China in stopping North Korean rhetoric was also acknowledged by Locklear, although he said that China can do more about the situation.

South Korea expected a medium-range North Korean missile to be launched following the warning given by the North to foreigners in South Korea. The White House also said that the rhetoric by the North was both provocative and unhelpful.

Despite the tense situation caused by the North, it was business as usual in South Korea since the people were already used to the saber-rattling of its northern neighbor.

Locklear also indicated that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, was impetuous and more unpredictable compared to the previous leaders of the North.

US officials also said that any North Korean missile launch will not likely be aimed at Japan, Guam or South Korea.

According to Patrick Ventrell, a spokesman for the US State Department, no particular information hint at an imminent threat to US facilities or citizens in South Korea. This comes as the South is preparing for a possible North Korean missile launch.

Posted by James Fried on Wednesday April 10 2013, 11:30 AM EST. Ref: NBC News. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0