Are we at risk from a nuclear strike – and what will America do next?

Q Could North Korea launch a nuclear strike against the West?

A Highly unlikely as experts believe it still lacks the technical ability to deliver a nuclear payload on a missile but it may have the capability in two to three years.

Q Does it have missiles it could launch from a submarine?

A Its new Pukkusong submarine-launched ballistic missile hasn’t been fully tested yet but it is thought to have a range of around 950km.

Q Could a North Korean submarine sail to within 950km of the US – or even Europe?

A Yes, but not without making itself vulnerable to attack.

Q Does North Korea have the Bomb?

A Experts believe that the regime has an arsenal of 20 atomic weapons, each with half the explosive power used on Hiroshima.

Q What will happen next?

A The most effective military option for the US arguably is a pre-emptive strike to destroy North Korean missiles, which it would use to attack South Korea. The US could obliterate these facilities using up to 300 Tomahawk missiles.