Our pals, the North Koreans, have tested a missile that apparently flew 600 miles before crashing into the Sea of Japan. CNN reports:
(CNN)North Korea claims to have conducted its first successful test of a long-range missile that it says can “reach anywhere in the world.”
Tuesday morning’s missile test, which was conducted on the orders of the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un, reached a height of 2,802 kilometers (1,741 miles), according to state broadcaster Korea Central Television (KCTV).
That’s the highest altitude ever reached by a North Korean missile, and puts the US on notice that Pyongyang could potentially hit the US mainland.
That puts the missile within striking distance of most of Japan’s population centers (and China’s). Here’s a handy table that lists the distances between Pyongyang and major world cities. Anchorage is 3,737 miles from Pyongyang. Honolulu 4,600. San Francisco 5,605.
My graver concern is that North Korea might decide to become one-stop shopping for anybody with money and a grudge. Hey, that DVD collection doesn’t buy itself.
There is no doubt that NK is a high level threat simmering out there. However, nations like ours have done little to discourage their build up of nuclear arms. Instead, a blind eye, denial, and magcal thinking have been the tools applied by previous administrations. And, now, with the Dem congress preoccupied with impeaching Trump, our attention is once again being impeded, put on hold or distracted by petty impediments.