Immediately after North Korea launched its latest missile test, U.S. and South Korean forces conducted another military exercise in the Korean Peninsula. The said missile test was a cause for concern as this was allegedly North Korea's first attempt to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.
What is the plan of the United States?
The U.S. Military quickly assessed the missile launch and determined that the said missile was not an ICBM but a medium ranged missile. The said projectile was launched near Pyongyang and traveled 578 miles for 37 minutes before crashing into the sea of Japan.
The test raised alarms in both South Korea and Japan noting that such kinds of missiles can easily strike both countries. The United States, on the other hand, is confident that its battery of anti-missile systems set in place in the Peninsula can easily intercept any guided projectiles coming from the belligerent North.
Russia and China were quick to convey a solution to the Korean tension by proposing a mutual moratorium deal between the U.S. and North Korea. The deal entails that the U.S. will cease its drills with South Korea, while the North will stop its nuclear programs.
The U.S. openly rejected this proposal by continuing with its joint military drills with South Korea. The two countries have ramped up its drills and conducted live-fire and missile interception exercises.
This is a direct defiance to North Korea's missile threat and a diplomatic rejection of any compromise with Pyongyang. Also, sentiments are growing that the U.S. should teach Kim Jong-un a lesson and conduct preemptive strikes to halt his deranged ambition.
North Korea issues another threat to America
Pyongyang released a statement aired on its state-run news agency that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) now had the capability of striking the United States.
According to military analysts, if the said missile was indeed an ICBM, it will have the capability to striking Alaska, though its range is not enough to attack Hawaii or the mainland.
The Hwasong 14, the name was given by North Korea to latest missile type, was determined to be a medium-range missile at best. Though there are now indications that North Korea has current technology to arm these missiles with a nuclear tip, the U.S.
Military will take no chances it seems. Due to this, the Pentagon had conducted tests on intercepting ICBMs, which was successful. The THAAD anti-missile system is also on the look out for incoming missiles that may fly into South Korean territory.
