Thomson Reuters
FILE PHOTO: A THAAD interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test
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 U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday, as tensions with North Korea climb.
Despite being planned months ago, the U.S. 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.
Experts have said that the nuclear-capable missile North Korea just tested, the Hwasong-14, is capable of hitting Alaska.
The missile flew 1,800 miles above the earth 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.