A missile defense review by the Pentagon Monday expressed concern about North Korea’s increasing missile capabilities.
The Ballistic Missile Defense Review said the North would achieve the necessary technology to mount a nuclear warhead onto an intercontinental ballistic missile within a decade.
Although the test launches of the Taepodong-2 in 2006 and 2009 were deemed unsuccessful, it is assumed that sooner or later North Korea will have a successful test of its Taepodong-2.
“If there are no major changes in its national security strategy in the next decade, it will be able to place a nuclear warhead on a proven delivery system,” said the report.
North Korea launched a rocket last April in what it said was part of a peaceful space program to put a satellite into orbit.
While the launch was deemed a failure by the international community, it invited strong U.N. condemnation and sanctions.