US maintains it can protect against N.Korea ICBMs

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. on Tuesday maintained that it can protect the homeland and its regional allies against North Korea's inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) program.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed Sunday his nation is “in the final stages” of preparations to test-launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.

If completed, the program would be a milestone in Pyongyang's nuclear missile program.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, spokesman Peter Cook was adamant Washington possesses capabilities to successfully thwart any attack on the U.S. or its allies.

"We have a ballistic missile defense umbrella that we're confident in for the region and to protect the United States homeland, and we'll continue to be confident in it, given where we are today and the technology and the skill with which our forces are using that technology," he said two days after Kim's announcement.

While North Korea’s claimed ability to strike America’s mainland has been met with skepticism in the past, South Korea and the U.S. are growing increasingly wary of the North's quickening rate of development following two nuclear tests and a long-range rocket launch in 2016.

The U.S. is planning to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to South Korea in May to further thwart a potential strike by Pyongyang.

South Korea’s acting president, Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, has so far resisted heavy criticism in opposition circles for the planned deployment.

Cook called the THAAD system "an important part of our broader missile defense efforts".

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said U.S. intelligence officials have not yet seen North Korea "test or demonstrate the ability to miniaturize a nuclear weapon and put it on an ICBM.

"I'm not aware that that assessment has changed," Earnest said. "If it has changed, it's something that will come from the intelligence community."