North Korea says it has missiles that can hit the US mainland, in a statement two days after South Korea unveiled a missile deal with the US.The statement said US bases in “Japan, Guam and the US mainland” were within its “scope of strike”.It follows Seoul’s announcement this week that it would almost triple the range of its own missile system.Pyongyang is thought to be working on a long-range missile, but two recent rocket tests ended in failure.North Korea’s neighbours said the failed rocket launches - in April 2009 and April 2012 - were tests related to the development of the long-range Taepodong-2 missile system. The system, which analysts believe is intended to put the US mainland within striking range, has not yet been tested successfully. North Korea routinely issues strong rhetoric against Seoul and Washington. But the Communist state does possess an array of short- and medium-range missiles, as well as artillery pointed towards South Korea, says the BBC’s Kevin Kim in Seoul.The statement, carried by state-run KCNA news agency and attributed to North Korea’s National Defence Commission, said Pyongyang would match any enemy “nuclear for nuclear, missile for missile”.
