[tom8517]

I think he does have missiles with the range to reach the US west coast, certainly Hawaii. He also has nuclear weapons. The problem is that the North Koreans don't yet have the technology to miniaturize one of their warheads to fit into a long range missile. That and their long range missile tests to date have been very hit or miss.

The real danger is a nuclear attack on South Korea or Japan. They have the technology to do this now. In addition to a massive loss of life, this would likely create a world wide financial crisis that would dwarf the Great Depression of the 1930's. Also it destabilizes the nuclear powers, once the first nuke goes off, everybody is very, very nervous. The Russians, the Chinese, India and Pakistan all now have their fingers on the trigger.