Antinuclear

With the world on alert, experts say North Korea does potentially have the capability of hitting Australia with a missile – but only if they’re very lucky.

University of NSW Professor of International Security Alan Dupont recently told defence correspondent Ian McPhedran that North Korea had only a “rudimentary” intercontinental ballistic missile system.

“The capability is pretty rudimentary and has more to do with pretence than substance,” he said.

North Korea declares it has given approval for a nuclear attack on the United States VIDEOSand GRAPHICS

• From: News Limited Network http://www.news.com.au/world-news/north-korea-gives-final-approval-for-nuclear-attack-on-united-states/story-fndir2ev-1226612136732
• April 04, 2013 

• North Korean army says it has ‘final approval’ for nuclear attack
• United States to move anti-missile system to Guam
• Two advanced missile destroyers moved closer to North Korea

• NORTH Korea says it has approved a nuclear attack on the United States in its latest threat as US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pyongyang to back down.

  With the world on alert, experts say North Korea does potentially have the capability of hitting Australia with a missile – but only if they’re very lucky.

  University of NSW Professor of International Security Alan Dupont recently told defence correspondent Ian McPhedran that North Korea had only a “rudimentary” intercontinental ballistic missile system.

  “The capability is pretty rudimentary and has more to do with pretence than substance,” he said.

  While a well-prepared missile may be capable of reaching the top-end of mainland Australia, it would not be able to hit a specific target – yet alone carry a nuclear warhead.

  It also faced being shot down by the growing numbers of anti-missile systems being deployed around North Korea.

  NUCLEAR ATTACK ‘APPROVED’ 

  North Korea’s supreme military command said in a statement this morning that The White House and Pentagon had been notified that “reckless operations” using nuclear weapons had been approved,

  “The moment of explosion is approaching fast,” the North Korean military said, warning that war could break out “today or tomorrow”.

  The General Staff of the Korean People’s Army said it was formally informing Washington that US threats would be “smashed by… cutting-edge smaller, lighter and diversified nuclear strike means”.

  It would launch “merciless” military strikes on the United States, involving the possible use of “cutting-edge” nuclear weapons.

  “The merciless operation of (our) revolutionary armed forces in this regard has been finally examined and ratified…

  “The US had better ponder over the prevailing grave situation.”

  Analysts have said North Korea is not technologically capable of carrying out a strike on the US mainland but could target US troops stationed in South Korea or Japan.

  The North Korean announcement came shortly after the US said it will deploy a ballistic missile defence system on its Pacific island of Guam as part of Washington’s efforts to beef up its military presence in the region.