The U.S. military has been closely monitoring the situation since North Korea stated that it might surprise America with a “Christmas gift.” Experts feared that the communist state might be planning an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test during the holidays.
However, Donald Trump appeared optimistic by jokingly interpreting North Korea’s message to mean that it might be planning to send something decorative instead. “Maybe it's a nice present,” Trump said from Mar-a-Lago when he was questioned about a possible missile testing from the communist country, CNN reported.
“Maybe it's present where he sends me a beautiful vase as opposed to a missile test,” the president jokingly added. “I may get a vase. I may get a nice present from him. You don't know. You never know.”
Earlier this month, North Korea promised to send the U.S. a “Christmas gift” if the latter won't lift the imposed sanctions soon. National Security officials have been trying to read just what the communist nation might have meant by its statement.
Whatever it may be, Donald Trump does not appear too overly concerned. In fact, he is confident that he’ll be able to handle whatever it is that might come along.
“Oh, that's OK, we'll find out what the surprise is and we'll deal with it very successfully,” Trump said. “Everybody's got surprises for me, but let's see what happens. I handle them as they come along.”
North Korea first tested its ICBM missile capability two years ago in 2017. The rocket’s liquid-fueled engine went on to burn for around 200 seconds, which would have provided enough thrust to carry a warhead halfway across the planet, according to The Washington Post.
Two years later, North Korean’s latest testing proved just how far it developed its missile technology in such a short period of time. On December 13, 2019, it performed the same test but the result was startlingly different – the rocket this time provided thrust for 400 seconds or approximately 7 minutes.
For weapons experts, seven minutes is already a long time. Obviously, North Korea has made improvements in its missile technology and was keeping it under wraps until now.
“North Korea’s nuclear and missile facilities kept operating during the moratoria,” weapons expert Jeffrey Lewis said. “They have built up capabilities over time and they choose to reveal them when it’s politically desirable.”