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U.S. To Beef Up Missile Defense Against North Korea

Posted at 3:50 PM, Mar 15, 2013
and last updated 2013-03-15 15:50:38-04
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via/flickr

CNN, — The U.S. military will enhance the nation’s ability to defend itself from any missile attack by North Korea or Iran, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Friday.

Still relatively new in his post, the Pentagon chief told reporters that the United States will deploy 14 additional ground-based missile interceptors to bring the total to 44. He said the expansion should be completed by 2017.

Part of the move would involve reopening a missile field at Fort Greely, Alaska, and some of the interceptors would be based in California, U.S. officials said.

North Korea says it’s the victim of ‘intensive’ cyberattacks 

North Korea also said last week it was nullifying the joint declaration on the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. One of the country’s top generals, according to published reports, claims Pyongyang has nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missiles that are ready to be fired.

In addition, Iran is believed to be continuing its efforts to develop nuclear weapon capability.

Hagel cited North Korea’s progress in missile technology and “reckless” statements as a reason for efforts to “stay ahead” of Pyongyang’s capabilities.

Military and White House officials have said the United States can defend against any such threat, and President Barack Obama said in an interview  this week that he does not think North Korea can make good on the threat.