North Korea will pose direct threat to U.S.

Defense secretary Robert Gate's trip to china provides some insight on the functionality of the North Korean nuclear weapons programs. Gates predicts that within 5 years North Korea will have the ability to launch a nuclear weapon on US soil via ICBM. The US's main concern is not a direct attack on the mainland rather North Korean aggression on neighbor and US ally South Korea. Relations between the two countries are icy at best and Gates fears that South Korea's tolerance for North Korea's actions are wearing thin. US officials have said thay will defend Seoul (SK capital) if attacked. That would in fact complicate things as North Korea depends on China for aid and support.

Brandon Borkovec