North Korea Missile Threat Capability

North Korea's missile arsenal currently threatens South Korea and Japan, but the Taepo Dong-2 missile in development could reach Alaska and parts of Hawaii with a range of over 3,000 miles. Experts fear that within 10-15 years a three-stage version could be developed that could deliver a 200 kilogram payload to the continental United States with a range of 6,000 to 7,500 miles.

The No-Dong-A operational missile has the capability to strike South Korea and parts of Japan with a range of about 800 miles. It is believed that the North Koreans have several operational Scud B and Scud C missiles fully functional with ranges of 200 to 350 miles. More information about the missile capability of North Korea from Global Security.

Meanwhile, the USS George Washington continues military exercise operations in the Yellow Sea near Korea with Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter aircraft. The exercises will take place over four days, but no live-fire drills are planned, said Cmdr. Jeff Davis, spokesman for the 7th Fleet in Japan. South Korean troops are being deployed on islands along North Korea, according to a SkyNews report.

Regional updates from The Korean Herald, The Korea Times, The Seoul Times, and The (North) Korean News.