The return of nuclear nightmare

North Korea's nuclear testing and missile development program and U.S. opposition to it has recently turned into a credible threat not only to East Asia, but also to international security. As the frequency of missile and nuclear tests by North Korea have increased substantially in recent years, many experts now expect it to eventually develop reliable missiles with its unprecedented pace of testing, although its long-range systems' consistency is still weak.

Since Kim Jong-Un took power in North Korea from his father Kim Jong-Il in late 2011, he pivoted for a national strategy that aims to eliminate perceived threats to his country by expanding the development of nuclear deterrence capability. As all North Korea's efforts in its nuclear and missile programs are geared toward developing different ranges of missiles and possibly some with nuclear warheads, its recent testing indicates to its intention to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S.

According to the CSIS Missile Defense Project, North Korea has already developed long-range Taepodong-2 missiles, with an estimated range between 4,000 and 15,000 kilometers, and operates them with some accuracy problems, as well as currently develops KN-14 missiles with a range between 8,000 and 10,000 km and KN-08 missiles with between a 5,500 and 11,500 km range. 

Should North Korea achieve to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capacity, it would become the third state alongside Russia and China with a capability to hit the U.S. directly. In response to this perceived threat, previous U.S. administrations have tried economic sanctions and diplomatic measures to curtail North Korea's development of such a system. Current President Donald Trump however has...