UPDATE 2 - US detects North Korean missile launch

ADDS MATTIS, TRUMP COMMENTS IN GRAFS 2-5

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The U.S. detected a North Korean missile launch Tuesday with early indications pointing to an unprecedented intercontinental ballistic missile test.

Defense Secretary James Mattis told reporters at the White House the missile went higher "than any previous shots they've taken" and described the test as a "research and development effort on their part to continue building ballistic missiles that can threaten everywhere in the world".

In response, the South Korean military fired targeted missiles into neighboring waters "to make certain North Korea understands that they could be taken under fire by our ally", Mattis said.

After being briefed on the latest developments, President Donald Trump threatened to "take care of that situation.

"It is a situation that we will handle," he said.

The missile was detected at 1:17 p.m. Eastern time (0617GMT) and was launched from Sain Ni, just north of the North Korea capital, according to the Pentagon.

It traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) before crashing into the Sea of Japan, spokesman Col. Robert Manning said in a statement.

North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile did not pose a threat to North America, U.S. territories, or its allies, Manning added.

"Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan, in the face of these threats, remains ironclad. We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies from any attack or provocation," he said.

The launch ends a months-long halt of North Korea’s ballistic missile tests. The last test, of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Sept. 15, flew over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean.

*Kasim Ileri contributed to this report