US Pacific Command concerned with N.Korea missiles

1:32 pm on 25 June 2016

The US Pacific Command says it's concerned that North Korea's latest missile tests could threaten military bases in Guam and potentially reach the Northern Marianas.

The Deputy Commander of the Pacific Command, Lieutenant-General Anthony Crutchfield, said they were aware of North Korea's intention to fire its latest batch of missiles.

This week North Korea boasted about the successful testing of a powerful new midrange ballistic missile that state media said could be propelled more than 1,400 kilometres high, have a range of 3,000 kilometres and which could allow strikes on US forces throughout the region.

Deputy Commander of the US Pacific Command, Lieutenant-General Anthony Crutchfield.

Deputy Commander of the US Pacific Command, Lieutenant-General Anthony Crutchfield. Photo: US ARMY

The North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the tests were a great event that strengthened his country's nuclear capability.

Lt-Gen Crutchfield said the US continues to monitor everything that was happening in and around North Korea.

He said they were concerned, as the international community should be concerned.

The Deputy Commander said any country who continued to test long-range missiles was dangerous not only to the region but the whole world.