'We will take care of it': Donald Trump vows to 'handle situation' after latest North Korea ballistic missile launch

Donald Trump has attempted to reassure the world following North Korea’s latest missile launch, saying: “We will take care of it.”

Pyongyang fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan on Tuesday evening, the most recent in a series of launches which has caused tensions with the US and other countries.

The missile flew for around 1,000 km and 50 minutes before landing in the sea, the Japanese government estimated.

President Trump, speaking from the White House just hours after the launch, told reporters: “It is a situation we will handle.”

He said today’s latest launch does not change the US approach to the secretive state’s missile programme and added: “We will take care of it.”

Donald Trump was briefed on the latest missile launch as it was still in flight over the Sea of Japan.
EPA

Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said he is requesting an emergency meeting of the UN security council and promised to protect his country's people.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said: "Another illegal missile launch from DPRK.

"This is not the path to security and prosperity for the North Korean people. DPRK regime must change course."

North Korea's missile launch in May.
EPA

There are fears North Korea is trying to build long-range missiles which could strike the mainland US.

Its last missile test, 10 weeks ago in September, saw a ballistic missile fired over Japan and landing in the sea off of the coast of Hokkaido.

The North, run by secretive leader Kim Jong-un, has previously tested missiles four times earlier this year, in February, April, July and August.

Japan's PM Shinzo Abe promised to protect his country.
REUTERS

The latter was thought to be its first ever ballistic missile capable pf carrying a nuclear weapon.

Last week the US imposed fresh sanctions against the North over its missile programme, targeting shipping trade and Chinese companies which trade with Pyongyang.

Today’s missile, which was fired at around 6.17 GMT, is believed to have been launched from the city of Pyongsong.

South Korea’s military said the missile had an altitude of 4,500 km while a Pentagon spokesman said the missile landed less than 200 nautical miles from the Japanese coast.

Minutes after the North fired the missile, South Korea's military conducted its own missile-firing test in response.

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