North Korea is claiming to have tested an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
University of North Texas Political Science Professor, John Ishiyama says until now North Korea has only been able to develop a single rocket with capability of hitting Japan.
“To develop intercontinental range, meaning to be able to hit other parts of the globe, they would have to have developed a successful two stage missile system,” said Ishiyama. “Apparently that’s what they’ve been able to do.”
Ishiyama said the test only reached the sea of Japan but believes the theoretical range of the missile could be to somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.
“It is of course a threat to our allies in South Korea and Japan where we have collective defense agreements, so it does directly affect the national security of the United States,” Ishiyama said. “But as far as physically hitting the continental United States, I don’t think it could do that yet.”
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jilson says the concern is that North Korea could develop a long range nuclear weapon.
“The issue that is next for them is can they marry nuclear weapons to that intercontinental ballistic missile.”
The test comes days after President Trump spoke to world leaders about the North Korean threat.
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