Which countries can North Korean missiles reach?

North Korea's weapons tests have stirred up world opinion in recent days. So which countries can North Korea's missiles reach?

On July 4, North Korea test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) – one of several tests in 2017 that raised fears of war breaking out.

Along with weapons testing, North Korea has continuously made bold statements, especially aimed at the US, causing a constant war of words between the two countries.

North Korea has accelerated missile development since Kim Jong Un took power. Photo: Express

The Express lists the types of North Korean missiles and their ranges:

Short-range ballistic missile (Scud)

North Korea has a large arsenal of Scud missiles, which were developed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It first purchased the missiles from Egypt in 1980, using them as the basis for its own Hwasong-5, Hwasong-6, Hwasong-7 and Hwasong-9 series.

The short-range missiles are among the most reliable and are believed to be ready for attack after being tested up to 50 times. They can travel 1,000km, putting both South Korea and Osaka, Japan’s second largest city, within range.

Medium range missile

The intermediate-range missiles have also been tested well, with only two of nine launches failing. They can fly nearly 2,000km, putting all of Japan, South Korea and parts of Mongolia, China and Russia within striking distance.

Earlier this year, South Korean analysts warned that Pyongyang had achieved the technology to mount a nuclear warhead on a medium-range missile, putting Japan and South Korea at risk of nuclear annihilation.

Submarine missile

Kim Jong Un’s regime claims it can fire missiles from submarines. However, the results appear unreliable as North Korea continues to refine and develop the technology.

Half of the missiles have been successfully tested under Kim Jong Un, and analysts believe they are unlikely to be deployed. But security experts are as unpredictable as they are with land-based launches.

The range of submarine missiles is estimated to be around 12,000km, with a range of 2,800km on North Korea's Sinpo-class submarines, posing a major threat in the Pacific.

Medium-range ballistic missile

North Korea's Hwasong-12 missiles are of concern because they are more effective. Only three have been successful under Kim Jong Un's direction, but the two most recent have caused concern around the world.

The fifth and sixth tests flew over Japan, causing panic among the country’s population. Both missiles flew over Hokkaido and fell into the sea, but experts believe the latest test could prove the missile is operational.

The maximum range of North Korea's medium-range missiles is believed to be around 4,500km, putting the US Pacific island of Guam at risk.

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM)

North Korea conducted two successful tests of the Hwasong-14 in 2017. This fact caused concern to the world after Kim Jong Un threatened to wipe the US off the face of the earth.

North Korea's first ICBM test puts the US mainland within range. Photo: Express

The first test led experts to believe the Hwasong-14 had a range of 8,500km because it flew into the stratosphere and fell into the ocean.

For the first time, the launch puts the continental United States within range, along with all of Asia, Australia and the Middle East. In Europe, Scotland and northern England are also at risk, as is Germany and all the countries to its east.

But the most recent launch had an estimated range of 10,000km, which would put Los Angeles within striking distance, and almost all of Europe – including France, Spain, Italy and the UK.

Experts believe that North Korea does not yet have a way to keep its missiles intact, nor has it achieved the ability to miniaturize nuclear warheads to fit on ICBMs. However, they believe that North Korea will soon develop this technology.

Some predict Pyongyang could launch nuclear missiles at the West in less than a year. Kim Jong Un’s regime is also expected to wage an air war, causing devastating disasters.

If the technology works, the only place out of range of North Korean missiles would be South America, with Argentina and the Falklands among the safest places on the planet.

However, this technology of North Korea is currently only at the elementary level.

According to Vietnamnet.vn