According to a top expert on North Korea, the communist dictator is likely just one step away from having the ability to launch a nuclear–tipped ICBM capable of reaching the US. That is what Jeffrey Lewis believes could have disastrous consequences for the country, North Korea that is. Lewis says that all that is left for Kim to achieve is to make sure that his warheads can withstand the extreme conditions of a launch. “North Korea almost certainly has a compact fission warhead capable of fitting on a future ICBM, whether it is rugged enough to survive the shock, vibration and extreme temperatures that a nuclear warhead would experience on an intercontinental trajectory.

Recently, with its goal in sight, North Korea has stepped up its missile launch program. They have added four new weapons systems including new super-accurate short-range ballistic missiles. Their new intermediate-range ballistic missile are said to be able to hit US bases in Guam and NK in addition to testing new anti-ship cruise missiles.

Lewis says Kim Jung-un could soon be “knocking on the door” of the US with new super-powered ICBMs, even though many believe his missile program is overrated. Obviously North Korea has no intention of slowing down it’s program, just today Kim said he “fully rejects” the newest UN sanctions against his country as a “hostile act” and will continue nuclear weapons development without delay.

The UN Security Council on Friday expanded targeted sanctions against Kim Jong-un’s rogue state after its repeated missile tests –  the first such resolution since President Donald Trump took office.

The sanctions resolution “is a crafty hostile act with the purpose of putting a curb on the DPRK’s buildup of nuclear forces, disarming it and causing economic suffocation to it,” Kim’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a statement. “Whatever sanctions and pressure may follow, we will not flinch from the road to build up nuclear forces which was chosen to defend the sovereignty of the country and the rights to national existence and will move forward towards the final victory.”

The United States has tried to reason with Kim since 2006 when he successfully tested his first atomic weapon. Now as Pyongyang’s vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland is almost completed, President Trump could very well find himself with a very difficult choice to make. Admit failure of the previous administrations to stop Kim and concentrate on anti-missile weapons, or a preemptive strike using conventional forces or even Tactical Nuclear weapons against the rouge nation.

Since taking office, Mr. Trump has been pressing China to help bring North Korea to heel. But thus far, China has either been unwilling or unable to stop Kim’s testing efforts. So now we will just have to wait an see which path the new president decides to take us down.