North Korea Launches Ballistic Missile, Officials Say

WASHINGTON, DC — North Korea launched a ballistic missile Tuesday, potentially entering Japanese land, officials have said.

South Korea, a key U.S. ally separated from the North by a highly militarized border, responded with shorter-range missile tests of its own to mimic striking the North Korea launch site, which it said lies not far from the North Korean capital.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis confirmed that the launch was an intercontinental ballistic missile, adding, “It went higher frankly than any previous shot they have taken.”

He continued: "It's a research and development effort on their part, to continue building ballistic missiles to travel anywhere in the world."

President Trump "was briefed, while missile was still in the air, on the situation in North Korea," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said on Twitter.

"I will only tell you that we will take care of it," Trump said of the attack. He said the launch has not changed his policy toward North Korea.

At a previously scheduled legislative meeting boycotted by the Democratic leadership, Trump criticized the other party for being unwilling to work together to fund the government together.

"We want our military funded, and we want it funded now," he said.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer decided not to come to the meeting after Trump suggested they wouldn't agree on anything.

"I don't see a deal!" he tweeted. The president said "Chuck and Nancy" favor "illegal immigrants flooding into our Country" and are weak on crime.

Schumer and Pelosi then abruptly pulled out of the meeting and shot back with their own statement asking for talks with top GOP leaders in Congress. They said, "given that the president doesn't see a deal between Democrats and the White House, we believe the best path forward is to continue negotiating with our Republican counterparts in Congress instead."

Officials believe the launch occurred around 1:30 p.m. Eastern.

The South Korean military also confirmed the launch, sawing it left "eastward" from Pyongsong in North Korea, the BBC reported.

It was the first North Korean missile test since the country launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile on Sept. 15 that flew over northern Japan and into the Pacific Ocean.

Trump On North Korea: 'We Will Take Care Of It'

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Photo by South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images