North Korea’s Next Target? Rocket Technology To Bring Australia Within Nuclear Attack Range: Report

North Korea has developed a rocket technology that would bring Australia within the range of Pyongyang’s nuclear attack, the commander of the United States Forces Korea (USFK) told Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, according to a Sunday report by the Australian.

The Kim Jong Un regime has continuously threatened rival South Korea and the U.S. of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) — capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. However, Pyongyang’s plans to attack Washington’s ally Australia was unheard of, until now.

Vincent K. Brooks, the commander of USFK, informed Bishop about the North’s latest development last month in South Korea, the Australian reported.

Read: North Korea's Nuclear Ambitions Won't Be Curbed By Diplomacy, International Nuclear Head Says

“The assessment was that North Korea ... was now at a point of advanced technology when it came to ballistic missiles that were capable of carrying a single nuclear warhead, that it was an increasing security risk not only to the Korean peninsula but also to our region, including Australia,” Bishop told the Australian. “It was the first time I had heard it in such stark terms. It is deeply concerning that North Korea has been able to take the opportunity to advance its capability.”

North Korea’s Musudan missile is believed to have a range of about 2,500 miles. The newspaper noted that if the reclusive nation can develop a missile capable of traveling nearly 4,500 miles, it can reach the Australian city of Cairns in Queensland, which is just over 4,000 miles from Pyongyang.

In a bid to counter the nuclear threat from North Korea, Seoul and Washington have been carrying out military drills in the Korean Peninsula — much to the anger of Pyongyang. On March 22, a powerful long-range bomber was flown over the Korean Peninsula.

Earlier this month, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said during a visit to Seoul that preemptive military action is “on the table” if Washington or its allies are threatened by North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.