North Korea launched a ballistic missile over Japan on Tuesday, causing Japan to issue evacuation notices and delay trains during the flight. The missile’s projected flight distance of 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) was the farthest by any North Korean missile. North Korea’s “dangerous and reckless choice” to launch a “long-range ballistic missile” was fiercely criticized by the US.
According to AP, experts believe that if Tuesday’s launch contains a long-range missile, it may be a test of a weapon aimed at the US homeland. National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said that the U.S will continue to work with friends and UN partners to limit North Korea’s capacity.
The US has said it will respond to North Korea’s missile launch with “strong and decisive” action.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is believed to have developed a nuclear device capable of striking the United States, according to some experts.