Tensions between the US and North Korea rose a step recently, afterKim Jong Un, threatened to use nuclear weapons in response to any threat to his country. The threat came after Washington reported that the reclusive country was preparing to test a Hwasong-17 missile, which in the future would pose a great danger to the security of the United States.
According to reports, the missile has a range of 15,000 kilometers, with sources privy to the details describing it as “the most powerful strategic weapon in the world, capable of striking deep within the United States.” However, Seoul and Washington estimated that “the latest tests failed and the missile’s development process is still Not completed.” U.S. officials also said that “although the missile does not yet pose an immediate threat to Washington or its allies, it raises concern among security officials in the country in view of Pyongyang’s success in accumulating an arsenal of missiles and nuclear capabilities that will become an existential threat in the future.”
According to American intelligence, North Korea has between 20 and 60 usable nuclear warheads, compared to a huge American arsenal of 6,800 warheads. American intelligence also reported that North Korea, which is subject to severe international sanctions, is capable of installing a nuclear warhead on its missiles, which can reach the West Coast of the United States, and military bases in the Pacific Ocean and Alaska.
The Journal of Health Ethics recently determined that “North Korea’s nuclear attacks could endanger approximately 38% of the entire US population. The newspaper also stated that if only three missiles are launched, this will result in the death of 9.7 million people, and the injury of 16.8 million. At the same time, “The Guardian” published that in a possible war with North Korea, according to estimates, about half a million soldiers from South Korea, and 52 thousand American soldiers will be killed. The British newspaper also estimated that just one bomb, with a nuclear warhead, would kill 783,000 people in South Korea and injure 700,000.
As you may recall, North Korea recently sent a strong message to South Korea and the United States and said that it will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons, in order to make the two countries “pay the worst price in human history”. .