North Korea declared that it could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) "at any time," even as the communist country appeared to offer Donald Trump an avenue for future negotiations. An official from North Korea's foreign minister declared that United States is responsible for the development of this program.
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have increased considerably since leader Kim Jong Un said stated that the country was close to testing an ICBM capable of delivering a nuclear weapon to the US mainland.
China and South Korea on denounced the missile threat from the communist country, and warned that a test could lead to more sanctions.
North Korea could be able to reach United States
International sanctions have failed to prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear weapons program.
When completely developed, a North Korean ICBM could reach the continental United States, which is around 9,000 km from the North. ICBMs have a minimum range of at least 5,500 km, but some are designed to travel 10,000 km or more.
North Korea has been developing rockets but many analysts believe that its technology is still backward although it could improve in the future.
Reaction of Donald Trump
Trump is firm against north Korea, he tweeted the following message: "North Korea just declared that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the United States. It won't happen!"
Analysts believe that Donald Trump has just a few options. Since the negotiations in 2009, North Korea has declared to have conducted four successful nuclear tests, thus, improving its hand in any future negotiations.
United States has been working with South Korea in the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD) in that country, but once that Trump takes power it could be different.
