TRUMP: US nuclear capability stronger since I came to power

– Rapid progress –

Experts have long differed over the North’s exact capabilities but all agree it has made rapid progress under Kim.

Last month, Pyongyang carried out its first two successful ICBM launches, the first — described by Kim as a gift to “American bastards” — showing it could reach Alaska, and the second extending its range even further, with some experts suggesting New York could be vulnerable.

The Washington Post quoted a US Defense Intelligence Agency analysis on Tuesday as saying officials think North Korea now has “nuclear weapons for ballistic missile delivery” — including by its ICBMs — making it a potent threat against neighbors and possibly the United States.

The Pentagon did not comment on the story, but the Post said two US officials familiar with the analysis had verified the assessment’s broad conclusions, and CNN said it had confirmed the report.

The North’s current ability to launch an accurate nuclear strike remains open to question, with analysts suggesting it has yet to overcome some major technical hurdles.

After Kim’s second ICBM test, some experts said it appeared the “re-entry vehicle” that would carry a warhead back into Earth’s atmosphere from space had failed in the intense heat.

US officials have repeatedly said this year that military action against the North was an “option on the table,” though Tillerson said nothing had “dramatically changed” in the military equation in the past 24 hours.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved a series of sanctions over the weekend which could cost North Korea $1 billion a year, with even the regime’s main ally China voting for the US-drafted proposal.

While the sanctions vote was seen as a diplomatic triumph for the US, there is widespread unease about the ramping up in tensions.

The North’s main ally China warned against “words and actions” that would stoke tensions, while Germany said it was watching the “increasing rhetorical escalation” with concern.

France meanwhile praised Trump’s “determination” in standing up to Pyongyang.

Republican US Senator John McCain said Trump should tread carefully when speaking about the North, telling a US radio station: “All it’s going to do is bring us closer to some kind of serious confrontation.”

In a separate development Wednesday, Pyongyang announced the release on medical grounds of a Canadian pastor jailed nearly two-and-a-half years ago for meddling in state affairs.