WEB DESK
North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile which flew nearly one thousand kilometer before splashing down in the Sea of Japan, the US said. This is the first such launch in two months which comes just a week after the US slapped fresh sanctions on the reclusive nation and declared it a state sponsor of terrorism.
The US Department of Defence detected and tracked a North Korean missile launch last night. Pentagon Spokesman Col Rob Manning in a statement said the missile launch did not pose any threat to the US or its allies.
Reacting to the missile launch, US President Donald Trump pledged to “take care” of North Korea. He said at the White House that it is a situation that the US will handle. He made the remark designed to show resolve, but which offered little clue of an immediate US response.
Shortly after Mr Trump spoke, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said diplomatic options remain viable and open on North Korea, but they now appear to be further away than ever before. He called on the international community to take additional measures beyond existing sanctions to enhance maritime security.
Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said the missile went higher than ever before and was a step toward North Korea building missiles that basically can threaten everywhere in the world.
Japan’s Prime Minister said the latest North Korean launch was a violent act that can never be tolerated and called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.