If, for example, a North Korean missile was simply being tested—even in a flagrantly hostile way, as most of Pyongyang’s tests are—the Americans would not shoot the missile down. On the other hand, if that missile becomes a threat to either its mainland or America’s Indo-Pacific allies, then Washington would consider shooting the missile down.

North Korea has criticized the United States and Asian neighbors for pursuing the “absurd” goal of denuclearizing the North and says it will push to expand its nuclear forces under the direction of it

North Korea's long-range artilleries, which can strike South Korea's capital Seoul, are hidden in caves and tunnels.

North Korea vowed to expand its nuclear forces under Kim Jong Un, criticizing the U.S. and its neighbors in Asia for pushing an "absurd" denuclearization plan.