The Pentagon called on Pyongyang to refrain from provocative actions, and on Tuesday said U.S. ballistic missile defenses can protect the nation from any long-range missile threat from North Korea.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, in a New Year’s address, said his country is in the “last stage” of preparations to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile that would in theory have the ability to reach the United States.
In response, President-elect Trump tweeted Monday night, “North Korea just stated that it is in the final stages of developing a nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S. It won’t happen!”
In his televised speech, Kim vowed that North Korea “will continue to strengthen its ability based on nuclear might to mount a pre-emptive attack.”
The Pentagon declined to describe the capability of its national missile defense, except to say it is confident that the defenses are sufficient to counter any threat from North Korea.
“There are layers in terms of our ballistic missile defense. There are various aspects to it. And that comprehensive defensive system we feel very confident in,” said Peter Cook, a Pentagon spokesman.
The U.S. has a ground-based missile defense system that consists of 40 interceptor missiles at Fort Greely, Alaska, and Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., along with a system of radars and command-and-control systems.
The system has not been declared fully operational, but has a limited capability to shoot down incoming missiles.
The last successful intercept test was conducted in 2014.
Cook said North Korea’s planned ICBM test violates U.N. Security Council resolutions that specifically bar Pyongyang from ballistic missile launches or developing missile technology.
“We call on the DPRK to refrain from provocative actions and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks,” Cook said.
“And we reaffirm our iron-clad commitments to defend our allies to utilizing the full spectrum of U.S. extended deterrence capabilities.”
