North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that analysts say might have enough power to reach Washington, D.C.
The North Korean missile test, which occurred Wednesday morning, was "higher, frankly, than any previous shot they have taken," Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis told reporters during a news conference Tuesday. Mattis also reportedly said he believes North Korea has weapons that can strike anywhere in the world.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday pledged to address the issue.
"We will take care of it," Trump said during a news conference, adding that North Korea "is a situation that we will handle."
The Kim Jong Un regime launched the ballistic missile into the East Sea near Pyongsong, a South Pyongan Province, at 3:17 a.m. local time, South Korea's military joint chief of staffs told the Yonhap News Agency in Seoul.
In response to what they called a provocation, South Korean armed forces conducted a "precision strike" missile launch, reports stated.
North Korea's action dashed hopes that diplomatic talks might be gaining ground. The authoritarian nation had conducted no missile tests for the past 74 days, the longest time period in the past year.
Officials in South Korea and U.S. are researching further details, such as the flight and distance, according to reports.
