DefCon level REDUCED to SAFEST rank despite North Korea WW3 threat – Express.co.uk

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The lowered threat level comes despite continued tensions in the Korean peninsula between the hermit state of the North and the United States and South Korea.

The DefCon Warning System is a private intelligence organisation which has monitored and assessed nuclear threats against the US by national entities for more than 33 years.

According to reports on the site, South Korea has not expressed any desire for war with its neighbouring country, causing the United States to re-evaluate its plans for the region.

The statement added the public should make their own evaluations and not rely on the DefCon Warning System for strategic planning, adding all citizens should learn what steps to take in the effect of a nuclear attack.

North Korea has repeatedly flouted United Nations and international sanctions to test a range of long-range ballistic missiles - with experts claiming the despot nation could potentially launch a missile test every two weeks for the rest of the year.

Last months launch of the Hwasong-12 rocket is believed to have had the capability of reaching the US mainland.

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The ground-to-ground medium-to-long range ballistic missile

Only last week, the reclusive state fired what appeared to be several land-to-ship missiles off its east coast, just one day after the South Korean military postponed full deployment of a controversial US anti-missile system designed - THAAD - to deter a North Korean attack.

Compared to the different types of ballistic missiles Pyongyang has tested in recent months, the missiles launched last week are considered to be more defensive in nature, designed to defend against threats such as enemy warships.

In recent weeks, a US expert claimed that Kim Jong-un is only one step away from developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), to which the Trump administrations head of missile defence expressed great concern.

North Korea has stated that it has accomplished high precision in newest missile test, which if true, would mark significant progress in the countrys ballistic programme.

Tensions in the Korean peninsula have been running high for weeks, with Washington refusing to rule out a military strike against the dictatorship in response to any attacks.

North Korea has carried out five nuclear tests in the last 11 years and is widely believed to be making progress towards its dream of building a missile capable of delivering a warhead to the continental US.

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Since assuming office, Kim Jong-un greatly increased the number of tests he authorised from eight in 2012, to an averaged total of 15.3 tests per year up to 2016.

Each Spring, the regime raises the tone of its warnings in response to joint exercises carried out by Washington and Seoul.

The regime has condemned these military exercises, accusing them of being rehearsals for an invasion.

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DefCon level REDUCED to SAFEST rank despite North Korea WW3 threat - Express.co.uk