By David E. Sanger, The New York Times: “Mr. Kim’s repeated missile tests show that a more definitive demonstration that he can reach the American mainland cannot be far away, even if it may be a few years before he can fit a nuclear warhead onto his increasingly powerful missiles. But for Mr. Trump and his national security team, Tuesday’s technical milestone simply underscores tomorrow’s strategic dilemma.”
Experts' Letter to Trump on North Korea
By Joseph Bosco, RealClearDefense: “At some point, Washington policy-makers will come to the full realization that Beijing has all along colluded with and "enabled" North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs. They have provided a major diplomatic distraction and resource diversion for the West and a great strategic advantage for China, allowing it to pose as a responsible stakeholder and good-faith negotiating partner.”
By Uzi Rubin, RealClearDefense: “On the morning of July 4th – Independence Day in the US – another ballistic missile roared skywards in Northwest Korea, deep inside the territory of the DPRK. About 40 minutes later, it splashed into the sea of Japan nearly 1000 kilometers downrange from its launch pad. This could have been unremarkable by itself, except for the steep trajectory of that missile. Japanese sources said that it reached an altitude of "considerably more than 2500 Km". Soon after, North Korea announced the peak altitude was in fact 2802 Km. This altitude/range capability would translate to a range of intercontinental scale if the trajectory were flattened out.”
North Korea’s announcement of an intercontinental-ballistic-missile test intensifies pressure on Beijing to penalize Pyongyang or risk further tensions with Washington as the U.S. and Chinese presidents prepare to meet this week. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
President Trump, frustrated by China’s unwillingness to lean on North Korea, has told the Chinese leader that the United States is prepared to act on its own in pressuring the nuclear-armed government in Pyongyang, according to senior administration officials. – New York Times
Experts believe that North Korea has several paths to a viable nuclear-tipped ICBM, each of which uses a separate design. North Korea has twice successfully launched a satellite from a three-stage ballistic rocket that has sufficient power to reach the U.S. west coast and could form the basis of an intercontinental ballistic missile. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
The top American general in South Korea said Wednesday that self-restraint was all that kept the United States and South Korea from going to war with North Korea, as the South’s defense minister indicated that the North’s first intercontinental ballistic missile had the potential to reach Hawaii. – New York Times
Five North Koreans crossed into South Korean waters in a boat on Saturday, sailing across a heavily guarded maritime border between the two nations in what appeared to be an attempt to flee the North, South Korean Coast Guard officials said. – New York Times