Story highlights US Secretary of State issues a 23-word response to North Korean missile test

Analysts say this could indicate new approach by the Trump administration

Hong Kong (CNN) The United States' terse, 23-word response to the latest North Korean missile test is a stark departure from previous statements -- but is also unlikely to make much of a difference to North Korea's weapons program, according to experts.

The test, which sent a missile into the sea off North Korea's east coast Wednesday, occurred ahead of a hugely important meeting between the leaders of the US and China this week and has been described by one analyst as an insult from Pyongyang to US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

"It was an airborne middle finger to Trump and Xi before they sit down for their summit," said Euan Graham, director of the international security program at Australia's Lowy Institute.

The US response, delivered via Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, was short and sharp -- "The United States has spoken enough about North Korea". It was very different from previous lengthy, threat-laden responses

Secretary Tillerson: The United States has spoken enough about North Korea. We have no further comment. https://t.co/ccVPjWTWdX — Department of State (@StateDept) April 5, 2017

And while Tillerson's taciturn comments were instantly criticized online , analysts said it was difficult to gauge if his approach would make much of a difference compared to his predecessors'.

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