Every couple of months, there’s a story about North Korea launching some new missile or testing a nuclear bomb. Just on Tuesday, a South Korean official reportedly said the North is now able to mount a nuclear warhead on a missile. The constant barrage of news—along with bluster and threats from North Korea itself—may have you feeling like the Hermit Kingdom could attack the United States at any time.
In reality, North Korea’s ability to destroy a major American city with a nuclear missile relies on much more than than just launching a rocket at a target.
In the video above, TIME answers: Should you be afraid of a North Korean nuke?
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won
- What Kind of President Would Kamala Harris Be?
- Is Adrenal Fatigue Real?
- Why It's So Hard to Quit Vaping
- Our Guide to Voting in the 2024 Election
- The 10 Races That Will Determine Control of the Senate
- Column: How My Shame Became My Strength
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Write to Mathew Katz at matt.katz@time.com