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North Korea reportedly fires short range missile

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    Amb. Bolton weighs in

  • Duration 7:01
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Worries are now growing over the possibility of a nuclear attack from North Korea after missile testing there.

-- says the Pentagon which is now stepping up the American missile defense system.

US planning to deploy more ground based interceptors like -- in the West Coast.

Still knew what his job secretary of defense Chuck Hagel says it will beef up our ability to defend ourselves.

I'm announcing a series of steps.

The United States will take to stay ahead of the challenge posed by Iran and North Korea's development of longer range ballistic missile capabilities.

South Korea says the north test fired two short range missiles over the water.

These are file pictures of -- previously on the launch believed to be in response to routine military drills conducted.

By South Korea and the United States let's bring in John Bolton former United States ambassador to the UN and -- Fox News contributor ambassador always good to talk to you.

President Obama at the beginning of his administration canceled large parts of the missile.

Defense program now all of a sudden scrambling.

To put those pieces together.

And it may take years site I saw one estimate today 2017.

Before they're fully operational.

Is that -- an implicit admission that he made a huge mistake.

I think it is and I guess I'd say better late than never these particular missiles were scheduled during the Bush Administration to be deployed in 2009.

But is part of the Obama administration effort basically to tank our national missile defense program they were put off.

Even -- -- 2000 North Korea exploded its second nuclear device.

So it's a step in the right direction it's it's too late but but it's still a step in the right direction.

There -- other aspects such as the canceled plans for.

Radars and missile sites in Poland and the Czech Republic.

-- the famous reset button with Russia neighbor casualties there.

That all needs to be put back in place but I suppose we'll have to.

Be thankful for this and see what comes next well a little experience sometimes -- issues your wisdom.

Listen to the North Korean designed -- standard are trying to miniaturized.

Here nukes to place -- the top and missiles.

And then they're trying to develop missiles that could actually reach the West Coast of the United States and Hawaii how serious a threat is that.

Well I think it's a very serious threat not today but you know one reason as you said earlier you need to get these additional missiles installed.

Missile for missile defense purposes is you just don't sort of push a button and they get ready the north Koreans.

-- trying to increase the capability of their ballistic missiles and you'll remember December they put a payload and earth orbit.

For the first time.

Perfect their nuclear warheads and that it's -- mating process you want more powerful ballistic missiles smaller nuclear warheads.

To increase the range and payload capability.

But even if they're not able in the next in in the short term to reach the United States.

Continental United States it's still reach Hawaii or shorter range missiles could reach South Korea Japan said this.

Threat of deliverable nuclear weapons from North Korea is very real not just for us but for our allies to him Kim -- and in the new leader.

Continues to monitor threats and in -- in provocative a belligerent behavior.

Even going so far as to suggest a preemptive strike.

Against the United States.

There are no match for the United States and in fact there are no match for most nuclear power so what's he up to.

Well in part it's a form of blackmail -- let's not underestimate the kind of Hitler in the bunker mentality at work in North Korea.

That's why these threats -- have to be taken.

Seriously because that that that regime is simply not.

Rational and our terms and let's not forget also they have.

We believe.

Chemical and biological weapons as well.

Which -- direct threat to the people of South Korea the the other half of the peninsula I think it's clear Kim -- that is no reformer.

He follows in line with his father and grandfather in the world's only hereditary Communist dictatorship.

Still run by the military.

Still a threat in northeast Asia and because.

There and impoverished nation that will sell anything to anybody a global threat.

What should we do.

Well I think the only long term answer here is the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula it is delusional to think we can chit chat.

North Korea out of its weapons of mass destruction.

Long ago we should've gone to China and said look you and we will both be better off when this regime.

Disappears the Chinese say they don't want North Korea with nuclear weapons they need to get serious about it and find a way to reunify the two Koreas but.

But every time we invite China to do something and try to pressure China to intervene.

Against Pyongyang they don't do it.

Why don't they do it and what more can we do to pressure China into making -- move.

Well you're right they've been schizophrenic get their policy they say -- North Korea with nuclear weapons destabilize is Asia their right there's talk now -- South Korea and Japan about getting nuclear weapons talk that will increase.

If the United States reduces unilaterally its nuclear capability so I think we have to appeal the Chinese reason.

If they really don't want North Korea with nuclear weapons they should help us eliminate the regime and that will solve the problem younger Chinese leaders understand.

North Korea is a pretty ugly piece of baggage I wish we'd started on this long ago but it's never -- way do we need to step up.

Our efforts on -- Stein efforts for regime change in North Korea and do it through the South Koreans.

Well.

I would be entirely in favor that the South Koreans have been very nervous about doing -- thing that that could lead to instability and North Korea because they like the Chinese fear massive floods of refugees.

Across the demilitarized zone or in the case of trying to cross the -- -- river.

And so I think we have to work very carefully with South Korea which.

That has a civilian population built from the suburbs of soul right up to the DMZ they also don't want.

There's civilians endangered by chemical or.

Biological weapons but I think get really South Korea should see that -- reunified Korean Peninsula is in its interest that's it.

To be bought it cheap labor force in the north that would love steady employment as opposed to near starvation.

And I'm hoping that the new government in South Korea having watched Kim John Allen's performance over the past several months.

Will appreciate that working with the United States to try and reunify the peninsula really is the right the course -- Ambassador John -- always a pleasure to speak -- -- thanks very much thank you Greg.

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