North Korea Will Test Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), according to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He declared that research and development of the advanced tech weapons are progressing and strengthening their defense capabilities. He also claimed that the last stage preparation for the tests of the intercontinental ballistic rocket launch has been continuously succeeding.
He stated that North Korea will keep increasing its military capabilities unless that US and its forces stop the nuclear threat. There's reason to take Kim's threats more seriously than in past years because in 2016 North Korea backed up its aggressive rhetoric with two nuclear tests.
But even though the Kim regime has advanced on warhead development, it doesn't have enough technology to deliver a nuke, according to senior defense analyst Bruce Bennett.
South Korean Warning
The South Korean Unification ministry stated that South Korea and the international community will not tolerate North Korea's nuclear development. South Korea will increase the sanctions and pressure against North Korea unless that it follows the road of denuclearization.
The US has 28,500 troops in South Korea while conducting joint military exercises every year.
Musudan ballistic missile
A successful ICBM test launch would be a great achievement for North Korea. ICBMs have a range of 5,500 km (3,418 miles), but some ICBMs can travel 10,000 km (6,214 miles) or more. California is just 9,000 km (5,592 miles) from North Korea.
Advancing has not been easy for the Kim regime. There have been many challenges. When trying to deploy its intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missile, it succeeded just once in eight attempted launches last year. The Musudan is able to fly about 3,000 km (1,860 miles). This missile could reach South Korea, Japan, and maybe the US territory of Guam.
