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Pentagon: DPRK missiles able to hit US soon

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-17 12:57

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon's second-highest ranking official claimed on Tuesday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s missiles could reach the continental United States in the near future.

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Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn told a briefing before the Senate Armed Services Committee that the DPRK's missiles could hit US homeland in three years at the quickest if the country continues to accelerate its weapon development.

Lynn added that he agreed with the assessment by Republican Senator John McCain that America should be prepared for a "worst-case scenario" with the DPRK.

Other Pentagon officials attending the briefing also said that the DPRK is working with other nations, including Iran and potentially Syria, to develop ballistic missiles.

However, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates told lawmakers last week that US missile interceptors are fully "adequate" to deter DPRK missiles for "a number of years."