'Chance US attack on North Korea's real'

to direct - Tensions surrounding North Korea in recent weeks risen sharply. Escalation now threatens the country may want to conduct a new nuclear test and the United States threatening to counteraction. Seven questions for Korea studies professor at Leiden University Remco Breuker:

Tensions surrounding North Korea have risen substantially lately. The Americans have recently sent warships to the region. What is the danger now?

Breuker: The great danger is that a misguided action by North Korea to a reaction from the United States and China or leads, which in turn escalates further.

How likely is that North Korea in the coming days performing a nuclear test?\n  \n   \n    \n    \n   \n   \n   \n      \n   \n     Remco Breuker professor at the University of Leiden.\n    \n   \n     Photo: University of Leiden

Breuker: Pretty, if we are to believe the analysis of satellite photos of the nuclear sites. In the past, these analyzes have been very reliable.

Is a real chance that the US then perform a preemptive strike on North Korea?

Breuker: Yes, I consider real. All I ask me there have to wonder if the US know what to attack. Or who. I am not comfortable with the level of current knowledge on North Korea at the current US administration. A preemptive strike will mostly symbolic. All major facilities are located deep underground.

How big is the actual danger of an armed (nuclear) conflict? And who run the most risk?

Breuker: That chance is still very small (on a nuclear conflict, at least), but not absent. A limited armed conflict is unfortunately a real possibility. South Korea and Japan run than most at risk.

Can missiles with nuclear warheads from North Korea in the foreseeable future pose a threat to the US and Europe?

Breuker: Since it seems.

China, Russia, Japan and South Korea prefer to see a diplomatic solution. Is there still win?

Breuker: I hope so, but I see no realistic diplomatic solution to North Korea got rid of its nuclear weapons. I think we will have to find more creative solutions than diplomacy (which fails seventy years versus North Korea).

What are the power relations in the region at present?

Breuker: That is a question that requires a very long, detailed and nuanced answer.