North Korea
Photo credit: Washington Times
The leader of U.S. Pacific Command testified before the Senate on Wednesday, just hours before President Trump and top military officials met with 100 senators in a special briefing on North Korea. Unfortunately, the information presented in his testimony showed that at least one U.S. state is at-risk for an attack from North Korea. According to officials, Kim Jong-Un has the ability to strike Hawaii.
From McClatchy DC:
The Pentagon needs to consider deploying new anti-ballistic missile systems and a defensive radar to Hawaii to protect against a growing threat from North Korea, the top U.S. military officer in the Pacific told Congress on Wednesday. “Kim Jong-Un is clearly in a position to threaten Hawaii today, in my opinion,” Adm. Harry Harris, the chief of U.S. Pacific Command, told the House Armed Services Committee. “I have suggested that we consider putting interceptors in Hawaii that . . . defend (it) directly, and that we look at a defensive Hawaii radar.”
The United States has only two anti-missile interceptors in place currently, at Vandenberg AFB in California and Fort Greely, Alaska. Lawmakers from Hawaii are very concerned about the threat and repeatedly questioned Adm. Harris about the risks.
Harris noted that there are “sufficient” systems in place to protect Hawaii, but cautioned the senators that they could be…
Overwhelmed
Missile Defense System-Vandenberg AFB (Photo credit: military.com)
The current defense architecture “is sufficient to protect Hawaii today, but it can be overwhelmed,” said Harris. “Somewhere, we would have to make a decision about which missiles to take out, and that’s a hard decision.”
This alarming information comes just days after Hawaii officials made the decision to update their disaster preparedness plans.
Harris also warned lawmakers that North Korea’s testing is “picking up speed,” and becoming more aggressive toward the U.S. and her allies.
“Kim’s strategic capabilities are not yet an existential threat to the U.S., but if left unchecked, he will gain the capability to match his rhetoric,” said Harris.
Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, also released an updated disaster guide to citizens this week, urging them to be prepared for an attack from North Korea. Abe cautioned, that if a missile strike is launched by the regime, residents would have precious little time to react.
U.S. officials warned that the situation is considered “grave,” and may need to be addressed with military action.
