North Korea reportedly used a new, more powerful weapon in its first-ever intercontinental ballistic missile launch, ramping up its ongoing nuclear threat to the world.
CNN reports the two-stage missile fired on Tuesday — which is believed to have the capacity to reach Alaska — has been classified as a brand-new never-before-seen weapon by U.S. intelligence.
Sources told the news network that prior to North Korea's test launch of its KN-17 liquid-fueled missile, the military attached a second-stage missile on top of it. The additional part had a separate 30-second burn cycle, allowing the weapon to travel further.
On Tuesday, North Korea strongman Kim Jong Un revealed his country had successfully tested an ICBM that reached an altitude of more than 1,741 miles and traveled 578 miles from the launch site.
North Korea boasted its missiles are now capable of reaching "anywhere in the world."
The launch ups the saber-rattling taunts being fired off between North Korea and the United States.
Kim vowed Wednesday that his nation will "demonstrate its mettle to the U.S." and never put its weapons programs up for negotiations. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the U.S. response to the test will include "stronger measures to hold [North Korea] accountable."
Also on Wednesday, President Donald Trump denounced China's ongoing trade with North Korea.