Tensions loom over North Korea

America’s Carl Vinson carrier strike group is moving toward the North Korean coast amid concerns that Pyongyang is about to conduct a nuclear weapons test within days – its sixth nuclear test

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Punggye-ri: Nuclear test site

CHINA

NORTH KOREA

Pyongyang

Seoul

SOUTH KOREA

200km 125 miles

Sea of Japan (East Sea)

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Strike group: Flagship USS Carl Vinson, guided missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain, destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer and USS Michael Murphy

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North Korea: Estimated missile ranges

CHINA

RUSSIA

1 2 3 4

CANADA

U.S.

Pacific Ocean

1 Hwasong-6 (Scud) 500-600km. Operational

2 Nodong: 1,300-1,500km Operational

3 Musudan 2,500-3,500km. In development


4 KN-14 Hwasong-14 11,500km. In development 

Has yet to be test flown – could deliver 300-400kg warhead

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First stage 	Second stage 	Warhead

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Sources: IHS Jane’s 360, 38 North 

Picture: U.S. Navy by George M. Bell 

© GRAPHIC NEWS