The Donald Trump administration has issued its first statement since taking office regarding North Korea's firing of a carbon missile, asserting, "The United States is committed to the complete denuclearization of North Korea." Trump, shortly after taking office, referred to North Korea as a nuclear power, raising concerns that it recognized North Korea as a de facto nuclear-armed state and might modify its denuclearization goal, but these concerns were dispelled.
According to Voice of America (VOA) and others, James Hewitt, Spokesperson for the National Security Council (NSC), in response to a request for comments on North Korea's ballistic missile launch, noted, "We are aware that North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles," and referred to the statement from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command issued a statement saying, "We are aware that North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles and are in close consultations with South Korea, Japan, and other regional allies and partners," adding, "The United States condemns the actions of North Korea (in launching missiles) and urges North Korea to refrain from further illegal and destabilizing acts.
It continued, "This launch is assessed not to pose an immediate threat to the American people, territory, or allies, but we continue to monitor the situation," and stated, "The U.S. commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan will remain steadfast."
Previously, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff reported that at 1:50 p.m. on the 10th, they detected several unidentified ballistic missiles launched by North Korea from inland Hwanghae Province toward the Yellow Sea. According to the Joint Chiefs, the missile is believed to be a short-range ballistic missile (CRBM) with a range of less than 300 kilometers. This missile launch is the first since January 14 and the first since Trump took office.