North Korean missile never before seen by US: report

U.S. intelligence officials are classifying the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) fired by North Korea Tuesday as something never before seen, according to CNN.

Officials were familiar with the first stage of the missile, which is thought to be a KN-17 liquid fueled missile that North Korea has launched before before.

{mosads}But North Korea attached a second stage to the missile with a 30-second burn cycle that allows the missile to travel an extra distance. That is why the missile has been classified as an ICBM.

North Korea announced on Tuesday it had tested an ICBM for the first time and said it could “reach anywhere in the world.”

The missile traveled an altitude of more than 1,741 miles before landing over 500 miles from the launch site, according to CNN, which cites North Korean state media. 

The U.S. and South Korea responded with a joint exercise that involved launching missiles into the South China Sea, according to Reuters.

“The deep strike precision capability enables the [South Korea]-U.S. alliance to engage the full array of time critical targets under all weather conditions,” the U.S. Army said in a statement.

The missile test prompted President Trump to lash out at China, which he said is not doing enough to counter the North Korean threat.

“Trade between China and North Korea grew almost 40% in the first quarter,” Trump tweeted early Wednesday.

“So much for China working with us — but we had to give it a try!”

Trump is set to meet Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the margins of a G20 summit in Germany.