The United States has considered the possibility of shooting down any missiles launched by North Korea, including those that do not pose a direct threat.
North Korea has conducted a number of missile launches recently in the region, prompting the United States to consider if shooting down any Pyongyang-launched missile is the best way to address the threat, CNN reported.
An official directly familiar with options planning within the Trump administration told CNN the question that now needs to be answered is whether North Korea's missile program has progressed to the level of being such an inherent threat that the Pentagon would recommend targeting a missile even if its trajectory did not indicate it would hit the US or its allies. The official declined to speak on the record because of the sensitivity of the issue.
So far, the United States hasn't taken any direct action against North Korean missile tests. The regime has attempted more than 17 tests this year alone, and a test in August, as well as the most recent launch in September, sent missiles over U.S.-ally Japan. The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has repeatedly threatened violence against the United States, its allies, and U.S. territory Guam.
U.S. officials stated that no options have been ruled out, but speculation has risen that the United States may order a preeminent strike against Pyongyang's missile facilities, according to CNN.
Members of the administration have repeatedly emphasized that a range of military options are on the table and Mattis said that the US possess military options that would not put Seoul at risk of a North Korean counterattack with the potential to kill tens of thousands of civilians.
Asked at an off-camera briefing at the Pentagon if there are military options that would not put Seoul at "grave risk?" He answered: "Yes there are, but I will not go into details."
At the United Nations, increased sanctions have been placed on North Korea, but the restrictions have thus far not prompted the rogue nation to halt missile activity.