The US plans to carry out a new test of its THAAD missile-defense system against an intermediate-range ballistic missile in the coming days, two US officials told Reuters on Friday, as tensions with North Korea climb.
Despite being planned months ago, the US missile-defense test will gain significance in the wake of North Korea's launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 4 that has heightened concerns about the threat from Pyongyang.
The US plans to test the THAAD system from Kodiak, Alaska.
Some experts have said that the nuclear-capable missile North Korea just tested, the Hwasong-14, can reach Alaska. The Hwasong-14 flew 1,800 miles above the earth during Tuesday's test, and on a normal trajectory could fly 4,160 miles.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump vowed to confront North Korea "very strongly," saying that the US was considering "severe things" for Pyongyang.
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