North Korea: Missile Access to All of America; Trump: We Will Address the Situation

Leaders from several countries have condemned North Korea's latest missile test. Current analyses suggest that the new missile likely has a greater range than all previous missiles. The North Korean government stated in a statement that this missile "has access to the entire territory of the United States" and "is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead." Donald Trump, shortly after reports of the new missile test emerged, told reporters, "I can only tell you that we will resolve this issue. This is a situation that will be addressed." He also tweeted, "After North Korea's missile test, it is important to fund the government and military! Democrats should not hold the military budget hostage over amnesty and illegal immigrants. I promised to stop illegal immigrants and achieved a great victory. They cannot threaten to shut down the government to get what they want." The U.S. President also spoke with his South Korean counterpart and the Prime Minister of Japan. According to the White House, during a phone call between Trump and Shinzo Abe, they discussed the missile test. The South Korean presidential office stated that Moon Jae-in and the U.S. President emphasized the need for increased sanctions and more pressure against Pyongyang. The President of France also condemned North Korea's actions, stating that if they are not assured of the safety of their athletes, they may not send their Olympic team to the upcoming Winter Games in South Korea. The Russian state news agency quoted previous statements from its foreign minister, emphasizing that Moscow does not accept North Korea's missile and nuclear tests as they violate UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea's missile tests and its sixth nuclear test in recent months have heightened tensions and the crisis in the Korean Peninsula. However, Pyongyang had not conducted a new military test for more than two months; during Trump's lengthy visit to East and Southeast Asia, no provocative actions were taken. Just a day prior, Japan reported detecting radio signals that may indicate preparations for a new missile test. South Korea and the United States also stated they are monitoring the events. Ultimately, on the morning of December 7, Pyongyang tested a new ballistic missile that, according to the U.S. Secretary of Defense, reached the highest altitude compared to all previous tests. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that North Korea's recent ballistic missile reached an altitude of 4,500 kilometers and traveled 960 kilometers before landing in the western waters of the country. The Prime Minister of Japan stated during his government meeting that the missile's altitude was 4,000 kilometers and its range was 1,000 kilometers. The previous test, two and a half months ago, had a range of about 3,700 kilometers and an altitude of nearly 770 kilometers. The Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted experts saying that this missile, which is likely intercontinental, has the potential to travel a longer distance than all previously tested missiles and "can easily reach the eastern coast of the United States." David Wright, a member of the "Union of Concerned Scientists" based in the United States, stated that if this missile is launched from a typical angle for a potential attack, it could travel about 13,000 kilometers; meaning it could easily reach Washington and "in fact any point in America." Some other estimates suggest that the potential range of the new missile is "more than 10,000 kilometers." The state of Hawaii is located 7,500 kilometers from North Korea. The recent test was conducted shortly after the United States, in an effort to increase pressure on Pyongyang, placed North Korea back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. The International Civil Aviation Organization, affiliated with the United Nations, stated that Pyongyang had not informed this body about the new missile test. This international organization had also issued a "severe warning" two months ago regarding the previous test, without prior notification, about the potential dangers it posed to civil aviation.