Can Missiles From North Korea Reach The Us
Recent nuclear tests conducted by North Korea have escalated tensions between the Nation and the US. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he intends to continue nuclear testing and has threatened to attack the US. This has led many to question whether North Korea has the capability of launching a missile at US soil and what implications the attack would have if it were to occur.
Claims from North Korea state the country has developed nuclear warheads and 1,048 rockets equaling the strength of Russia and China combined. Sources have reported that North Korea could have a working nuclear device as soon as 2017, which has increased worries of the nation’s capability to reach the US with a missile.
Weapons experts have reported that, as of now, a missile fired from North Korea would not be able to reach the US mainland. Instead, the missile would be most likely to reach Alaska, Hawaii, or US territories in the Pacific Ocean. Some analysts have suggested a 2,000 mile radius is the furthest it could travel, while other reports state that it could travel up to 10,000 miles, the minimum requirement to be considered an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
Nevertheless, experts state that North Korea has the capability to reach South Korea and should it choose to launch a missile, US forces in the region would be in immediate peril. Additionally, the US’s allies, Japan and South Korea, remain worried about a potential attack as North Korea has launched several missiles in the direction of both countries over recent years.
Neither the US or its allies can afford to ignore North Korea’s potential for a missile attack, however, experts agree that North Korea would have to significantly advance their technology and economies before the country could reach US soil.
The fight against North Korea is not just a security issue, but also an economic one. The nation largely relies on economic support from countries like China, as well as trade and imports. If a nuclear attack were to occur, many countries would be likely to end their economic relationship with North Korea.
Given the fact that North Korea’s economy is in a state of decline, it is highly unlikely the nation has the resources necessary to develop the technology required to launch an effective ICBM. In addition, while the UN imposed economic sanctions on North Korea in 2006, it did little to inhibit the nation’s missile tests over the past decade.
How Would US Citizens Respond to a Missile Attack?
Though a nuclear attack from North Korea is unlikely, many US citizens are concerned about potential safety measures in the event of a missile strike.
The US has held several drills recently to highlight potential safety procedures for citizens in the event of a missile attack. These include the creation of fallout shelters and the distribution of emergency supplies to citizens living in high-risk areas. US allies, such as South Korea and Japan, have already installed missile defense systems.
The US has also implemented economic programs such as the North Korean Survey Support Program, which allocates funds to citizens threatening by nuclear radiation as a safety measure. Additionally, the US Department of Defense has activated a technological program offering advice on how to prepare for a nuclear attack.
Groups, including the US-based Stimson Center, have called upon the UN Security Council to impose additional sanctions and increase the pressure on North Korea. According to a Stimson Center statement, the Nations of the world must know that “these are not empty threats, and that North Korea has more to gain from nuclear restraint and negotiations than from nuclear tests.”
The Cost of Building Nuclear Weapons
Experts have estimated that North Korea could be spending up to $200 million a year on its nuclear program. This amount is diverted from the nation’s economy at a time when the country is facing serious food shortages and poverty. This means that if the country does develop an ICBM, it would have less money for other essential needs.
This financial drain could cause other issues for North Korea, such as a loss of key personnel skilled in the development of a nuclear weapons program and a loss of funding for public services vital to the country’s stability and security.
Participants of the Six-Party Talks, which sought to resolve the nuclear crisis in North Korea, stated that complete disarmament, along with economic and energy assistance, is the only solution. Experts suggest that North Korea should give up its weapons and focus on nation building and economic growth.
However, in order for this to occur, North Korea must prove to other nations that it can be trusted. This means the United States must show a greater level of diplomatic engagement. Otherwise, the nation’s motives may remain unclear to the world, thus prolonging the possibility of a nuclear attack.
American Foreign Policy and North Korea
Current US President Donald Trump has said he will act as a “strong negotiator” when it comes to North Korea, but has given little indication as to how he plans to proceed. He has made several statements such as “America’s willingness to talk is not infinite” and “all options are on the table” when responding to North Korea’s nuclear activities, leading experts to question whether his policies will provoke a conflict.
President Trump has also said that the US will work with China on the North Korean situation, yet it remains unclear whether China’s interests are in line with US interests. The US has imposed several trade tariffs on China, causing further tension and a decrease in investment for North Korea, which largely relies on support from China.
The situation is further complicated by US Secretary of Defense James Mattis’s warning that a US military intervention in North Korea is “exceedingly remote”. It is becoming increasingly clear that the US is unwilling to act on its threats, leaving the diplomatic relationship between the two nations ambiguous.
The Humanitarian Costs of a Nuclear Attack
The reality of a nuclear attack is further complicated by the potential humanitarian costs that would be incurred. In the event of a nuclear test in North Korea, radiation would be emitted at various levels, potentially resulting in severe illness within a high-risk area.
Moreover, a nuclear strike could lead to large-scale destruction, displacement, and serious damage to North Korea’s infrastructure and could possibly result in thousands of casualties.
For this reason, some experts have argued that the US and other Nations should take a more humanitarian approach to the North Korean situation, focusing on aid and development rather than increased sanctions. It remains to be seen whether such a solution could be successful in the face of North Korea’s nuclear threat.
Increased International Attention and Diplomatic Pressure
Recent debates in the UN Security Council have brought attention to the issue of North Korea, as well as the potential for a nuclear attack. In response to the debates, the US has increased the number of naval ships, aircraft, drones and other military equipment in the area.
The US has also stated its intention to increase diplomatic pressure on North Korea, encouraging other nations to discuss the situation and work toward a diplomatic solution. US officials have said that the US and its allies must remain unified in the face of a North Korean nuclear threat and must seek a peaceful resolution.
Other Nations, such as Russia and South Korea, have also increased their participation in diplomatic negotiations. Russia has begun negotiations with North Korea and has stated that it supports their right to pursue nuclear energy and access to a nuclear weapon.
It remains to be seen whether diplomatic efforts will be effective in preventing a nuclear attack by North Korea, but it has become increasingly clear that the situation is complex and the potential for a missile attack is not to be ignored.
