Could North Korea really nuke the United States?

Facing tough new U.N. sanctions, Pyongyang threatens a "preemptive nuclear attack" against the United States

North Korean soldiers attend a Feb. 14 rally at Kim Il Sung Square to celebrate the success of the country's recent nuclear test.
(Image credit: AP Photo/Jon Chol Jin)

North Korea raised eyebrows (and heartbeats) this morning by threatening to use its "right to preemptive nuclear attack" against the United States in anticipation of new sanctions, which were later passed unanimously by the U.N. Security Council.

The hermit kingdom has remained defiant in the face of global criticism over its most recent nuclear test on Feb. 12, and the resolution, drafted by the United States and China, seeks to halt secret transactions by North Korean banks that could be funding the country's nuclear program, and increase scrutiny of suspicious sea and air shipments.

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Keith Wagstaff is a staff writer at TheWeek.com covering politics and current events. He has previously written for such publications as TIME, Details, VICE, and the Village Voice.