North Korea is now ‘only one step away’ from launching a nuclear missile which can hit America, US expert warns
News comes as Kim Jong-un's rogue state continues to ramp up its weapons programme
A TOP expert has claimed North Korea’s military is just one step away from launching a nuclear–tipped intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the US.
Jeffrey Lewis, an American expert on Kim's Jong-un's military, believes the only hurdle left is to develop a warhead capable of handling the extreme heat encountered during re-entry into our atmosphere.
Mr Lewis said: “North Korea almost certainly has a compact fission warhead capable of fitting on a future ICBM.
“The major question now is not whether the warhead is small enough to mount on an ICBM but whether it is rugged enough to survive the shock, vibration and extreme temperatures that a nuclear warhead would experience on an intercontinental trajectory, in which it would be shot into space and then re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
“The warhead fitted to the Hwasong-12 experienced heat loads similar to those of an ICBM (although for a shorter period of time) and survived.
“Separately, North Korea has published images of an apparently successful ground test of a re-entry vehicle last year.”
In recent months, North Korea has rapidly stepped up its missile launch programme.
Four new weapons systems have been tested lately, including new super-accurate short-range ballistic missiles.
Its new intermediate-range ballistic missile are said to be able to hit US bases in Guam and NK has also tested new anti-ship cruise missiles.
And Mr Lewis fears the rogue state could soon be "knocking on the door" of the US with new super-powered ICBMs - despite some claiming Kim's missile programme is overrated.
Mr Lewis added: “Similar doubts were expressed about China's nuclear warheads in the 1960s, prompting China's leaders to arm a missile with a live nuclear weapon and launch it across the country to dispel any lingering doubts. Fortunately, North Korea has not chosen to take such a step.”
Last week, NK today said it "fully rejects" the latest UN sanctions against its citizens as a "hostile act" and will continue its nuclear weapons development without delay.
The UN Security Council on Friday expanded targeted sanctions against Kim Jong-un's rogue state after its repeated missile tests - the first such resolution since President Donald Trump took office.
The sanctions resolution "is a crafty hostile act with the purpose of putting a curb on the DPRK's buildup of nuclear forces, disarming it and causing economic suffocation to it," NK's foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.
"Whatever sanctions and pressure may follow, we will not flinch from the road to build up nuclear forces which was chosen to defend the sovereignty of the country and the rights to national existence and will move forward towards the final victory."
North Korea has rejected all UN Security Council resolutions dating back to 2006 when it conducted its first nuclear test, saying such moves directly infringe its sovereign right to self defence.
The United States has struggled to slow Kim's controversial nuclear and missile programs, which have become a security priority given Pyongyang's vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland.
The Trump administration has been pressing China aggressively to rein in its reclusive neighbour, warning all options are on the table if it persists with its nuclear and missile development.
North Korea blamed the US and China for "railroading and enforcing" the sanctions resolution at the UN Security Council "after having drafted it in the backroom at their own pleasure."
Last week, Kim's country warned it can now reduce the “Devil’s Den” of America to rubble and is capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at the US mainland at any time.
The Pentagon then successfully tested a rocket interceptor which it hopes will bring down any ICBMs from the communist state.
This missile launch in California was a response to the increasingly threatening rhetoric.
But it has served to infuriate Pyongyang where the state run paper Rogong Sinmum has issued a clear warning.
The paper said: "We're prepared to test-fire ICBMs anywhere and anytime on orders from the supreme commander (Kim Jong-un).
"No one can stop the nuclear power state, rocketry master in the East.
"The United States must know our declaration that we can turn the Devil's Den into ashes with nuclear weapons is not an empty threat."