Biden warned: North Korea had years ‘to perfect missiles’ and ‘new designs can hit US’

It comes after the hermit kingdom tested a new guided missile last week. The North’s Korean Central News Agency said the two “new-type tactical guided projectiles” accurately hit a target off its eastern coast.

Last week’s test-firings were Kim Jong-un’s first major provocation since President Biden took office in January.

Harry Kazianis, senior director for the Center for the National Interest, explained why Mr Biden should be worried about North Korea.

He told Express.co.uk: “The Biden team should for sure be worried as North Korea has had the last three plus years to perfect countless missiles it has held back from testing.

“And that means new ICBM designs that can hit the US homeland in the event of an armed conflict.”

Japanese officials said the weapons tested last Thursday by North Korea were ballistic missiles, which are banned by UN security council resolutions.

Speaking at a news conference last week, President Biden said his administration consulted with US allies and partners.

He warned “there will be responses” if North Korea choose to escalate its missile tests.

Mr Biden added: “I’m also prepared for some form of diplomacy, but it has to be conditioned upon the end result of denuclearisation.”

READ MORE – North Korea warning: Missile test is a ‘major threat’ to US

“Considering that, and that the North Koreans are using cyber-crimes to get more and more hard currency, the likely Biden approach seems destined to fail in spectacular fashion.”

On Wednesday, the UN warned that North Korea has likely developed the ability to mount nuclear warheads onto its intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The panel, which reports to the UN Security Council, concluded: “It is highly likely that a nuclear device can be mounted on the intercontinental ballistic missiles, and it is also likely that a nuclear device can be mounted on the medium-range ballistic missiles and short-range ballistic missiles.”

The warning adds to the international alarm over Pyongyang’s growing weapons capabilities.

source: express.co.uk