1 Sep 2017

Guam would still be a target without US military bases

From , 3:03 pm on 1 September 2017

Guam's homeland security advisor says the US territory would still be a target for North Korea if there weren't any US military bases on the island.

This comes after North Korea restated its intentions to fire missiles towards Guam following its launch on Tuesday of a missile that flew over North Japan.

Guam community groups that are pro-indepence and demilitarisation have been critical of the threats being made against Guam by North Korea saying it is only a target because of the massive US military bases that take up a third of the island.

But George Charfauros says Guam will always be a target because of its status and its strategic location.

Koroi Hawkins spoke with Mr Charfauros and began by asking him if there had been a strengthening of the US military's presence on the island in response to the increased threats from North Korea.

A US Air Force B-1B bomber prepared to take off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in August.

A US Air Force B-1B bomber prepared to take off from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam in August. Photo: US Air Force - Pacific Command