Mattis: North Korea is building missiles that threaten all parts of the world

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis stated on Tuesday, December 7, that North Korea is developing missiles that could pose a threat to all parts of the world. According to the Associated Press, the Defense Secretary said, 'I must honestly say that the missile (the ballistic missile tested by North Korea on Wednesday) reached a height that was above the altitude of previous missiles tested by this country.' The report indicates that North Korea ended a 10-week halt in its testing by launching an intercontinental missile early Wednesday morning, East Asia time. Meanwhile, Mattis, during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, stated that North Korea has endangered global peace, regional peace, and 'certainly the United States.' Trump remarked at the meeting on Tuesday, December 7, that 'this is a situation, and we will handle it.' According to Reuters, the U.S. Department of Defense reported that initial estimates indicate the missile launched on Wednesday traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers. The Japanese Defense Minister stated that the missile tested by North Korea on Wednesday broke into smaller parts after reaching an altitude of about 4,000 kilometers and fell into Japan's 'economic zone.' Meanwhile, South Korea's Ministry of Defense reported that the missile reached an altitude of 4,500 kilometers and traveled a distance of 960 kilometers. At the same time, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated that the diplomatic option is still viable. The United States is committed to finding a peaceful solution for denuclearization and ending North Korea's hostile actions. According to Reuters, the Security Council is set to discuss North Korea's recent missile test on Wednesday. North Korea had nearly halted its missile tests since late September. Pyongyang condemned the Trump administration's decision to place North Korea on the list of state sponsors of terrorism last week, describing it as 'provocation and a serious violation.' Reuters reports that North Korea's latest missile test will lead the U.S. government to impose stricter sanctions on Pyongyang, although experts express concern about increased tensions as a result of these sanctions.