Introduction
For decades, North Korea has been seen as an aggressive and volatile state, culminating with continuing bellicosity towards both South Korea and the United States. This article will cover ‘Can North Korea missiles reach New York’ and explore the capabilities of its nuclear arsenal as it may relate to other countries.
What is North Korea’s Missile Range?
When it comes to North Korea’s missile range, experts agree that Kim Jong Un’s country is currently capable of targeting much of the Asia-Pacific region. This includes Japan, South Korea and the West Coast of the United States. Pyongyang claims that it has the capability of striking some areas in the continental United States — such as Chicago, Washington and New York — but these assertions have not been verified by outside parties.
When weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) is spoken about in the context of North Korea, it is generally assumed to be nuclear-tipped missiles. This is because North Korea has invested heavily — to the tune of tens of billions of dollars — in the development of this technology in the past three decades.
What is the Reach of North Korea Missiles?
The maximum range of North Korea’s missiles is estimated to be somewhere between 7,500 and 8,000 kilometers (4,700 to 5,000 miles). This puts New York and much of the East Coast of the United States beyond the missile’s reach. However, in recent years, North Korea has developed the Musudan missile, which has a maximum range of up to 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles). This missile is theoretically capable of targeting certain parts of the United States — including New York.
Possibility of Missile Strikes on New York?
As of right now, experts suggest that North Korea is unlikely to strike New York with a nuclear warhead — and this is not due to a lack of capability. Instead, analysts suggest that North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un is unlikely to use nuclear weapons to target cities outside of the Asia-Pacific region due to the risk of direct retaliation from the United States. Therefore, with the current deterrence and geopolitics in place, it is unlikely that New York will experience a nuclear strike from North Korea.
Despite this fact, there are still tens of thousands of North Korean nuclear warheads in the possession of Kim Jong Un and his country and any future instability or breakdown of diplomatic relations in the region would pose a more significant risk of international conflict and could potentially involve New York.
Can North Korean Missiles Reach Any Part of the United States?
When it comes to the continental United States, the West Coast is likely to be the target of any long-range missile strikes from North Korea. This is due partly to the fact that the West Coast is closer to Pyongyang than the East Coast, thus providing the missile with a greater chance of reaching its destination.
Additionally, the West Coast is home to many major military installations, including U.S. Navy and Air Force bases, as well as major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. As such, targeting this region would provide any missile strikes more chance of success.
What is North Korea’s Nuclear Arsenal Capability?
The exact size of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal is a matter of some degree of speculation. American and South Korean officials estimate that the country may have in excess of 30 nuclear warheads and a variety of delivery systems. This includes liquid fuel, short-range, midrange, and intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as cruise missiles.
North Korea has tested its missiles multiple times and is believed to be actively developing nuclear weapons, making it a concern for nearby countries. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously condemned North Korea for its continued unrestricted testing of its nuclear and ballistic technology.
Can North Korea Missiles Reach New York- Prevention Strategies?
Although the probability of a missile strike from North Korea on New York is considered to be very low, there are a number of strategies that the United States could deploy to further mitigate the risk.
The first is to strengthen the defenses of U.S. military bases in the West Coast region, to reduce the chance of a successful strike. This could include the deployment of missile defense systems such as the United States’ Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), which is widely considered to be highly effective against small and medium range missiles.
The second is to strengthen diplomatic ties with North Korean officials, encouraging dialogue and moderation. This could involve sustained engagement of North Korean leaders and working to build a positive relationship with the regime, rather than isolating them further.
Finally, the United States government should continue its diplomatic efforts to prod other countries in the region such as Japan and South Korea, to persuade North Korea to curb its nuclear ambitions and cooperate with the international community.
How does North Korea Compete with US and other countries?
North Korea has long been seen as an adversary to the United States and other countries in the region. This is largely due to the fact that due to its missile and nuclear programs, the country has the ability to exert considerable influence in the region. This has been evidenced by the large number of missile tests that have taken place since the mid-1990s and the fact that the country is believed to have large nuclear stockpiles.
This has prompted a response from the United States, who have deployed several missile defense systems in the region — such as the THAAD system in South Korea — designed to protect the United States and its allies from potential North Korean aggression.
Despite North Korea’s increasing capabilities, experts still maintain that the country is unlikely to use these capabilities to target countries in the continental United States, due to the political and military consequences that would follow. For the moment, North Korea is primarily a regional threat that can be contained by diplomatic and military means.
Analysis of North Korea Missiles Capability
Despite the fact that North Korea’s missiles may have the capability of reaching New York in theory, it is highly unlikely that this scenario will ever become a reality. This is due to the fact that the majority of North Korea’s missiles have limited range and the United States’ own missile defense systems, which are designed to protect the country from such a threat.
Furthermore, it is also likely that North Korea would not use such a weapon in any case, due to the severe international consequence that would follow — including potential retaliation from the United States. For this reason, North Korea’s nuclear capabilities are thought to be primarily defensive, rather than offensive in nature.
United States Response to North Korean Missile Program
In response to the growing threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs, the United States has taken a number of steps to protect itself and its allies. This includes the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea, which is designed to intercept and destroy missiles. The THAAD system is considered to be highly effective and is believed to be capable of intercepting North Korean missiles at the altitudes they are most likely to be launched.
The United States has also imposed a range of economic sanctions on North Korea — in an effort to force the country to curb its nuclear weapons development — as well as engaging in diplomatic talks with Pyongyang. The United States government has also reinforced its military presence in the region and conducted several military drills in the region with its ally South Korea.
How is North Korean Missile Program Affecting Global Politics?
North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs have had a huge impact on global politics and the international community’s perception of the country. North Korea’s increasingly advanced weapons have caused a great deal of concern for countries in the region — particularly South Korea, Japan, and the United States — who fear that Pyongyang could use these capabilities to launch an attack on their countries.
This has led to increased tensions in the region and a heightened military presence from the United States, as well as intensified diplomatic ties with countries in the region. Additionally, the United Nations Security Council has also placed additional sanctions on North Korea in an effort to pressure the country to halt its nuclear development.
Furthermore, the threat posed by North Korea’s weapons has caused disagreements between countries such as China, who has expressed opposition to increased pressure and sanctions on North Korean, and the United States, who has sought to tighten the grip on the country.
