North Korea has threatened pre - emptive strikes against U.S. , but how realistic are these threats ? The North also has a military force of 1.1 million -- nearly double the South Korean military and the 28,000 American troops stationed in the South . South Korea and Japan , both with large military bases , are well within striking distance . Experts doubt they will be hit , and the U.S. military seems to be well out of range .
North Korea has threatened pre - emptive strikes against U.S. , but how realistic are these threats ? South Korea and Japan , both with large military bases , are well within striking distance . Experts doubt they will be hit , and the U.S. military seems to be well out of range .