London, Paris within range of North Korea's Hwasong-15 missiles

(Baonghean.vn)- On November 30, French Defense Minister Florence Parly warned that Europe, like the US, is now within range of North Korea's ballistic missiles.

North Korean missiles could reach Europe sooner than expected. Photo: AP

In an interview with BFM television, Ms. Parly said that Pyongyang's third intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test on November 29 was "a demonstration of (the country's) growing power. Europe, like the United States, is certainly within the range of these launches."

Ms Parly said “only a handful of western cities” were out of range. The head of the French defence ministry urged the international community to “pursue a path of sanctions” against North Korea.

“It is urgent that all sides apply sanctions, including China and Russia,” Ms. Parly affirmed. Ms. Parly reiterated that France “believes that diplomacy is the only way to resolve the current tension.”

According to expert David Wright of the Union of Concerned Scientists (USA), if the missile flies on a standard trajectory instead of the test-launched trajectory, it can reach a range of more than 13,000 km.

This would theoretically put London (8,700 km from Pyongyang), Paris, and other European cities within range.

Last September, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also warned that North Korea could have the ability to attack Europe “within months”./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP)