Jean Lee, a Wilson Center expert, commented recently that “we should be worried” as North Korea inches closer toward ICBM perfection.

It was a message of utter defiance by the North Korean government with their claim of a successful ICBM launch which came just days after a summit meeting between President Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in. The conversation focused on “blocking” North Korea from reaching their potential in the development of long-range nuclear weaponry.

In a statement released by Jean Lee, a global fellow of the D.C. think tank, she commented:

“We should be worried: Every test gets the North Koreans closer to mastering the technology for mounting a nuclear weapon on a ballistic missile powerful enough to strike the United States and its allies.”

Each test brings #NorthKorea closer to building a nuclear-tipped long-range ballistic #missile designed to strike mainland US https://t.co/QfYbCe0bVc — Jean H. Lee (@newsjean) July 4, 2017

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Each test poses an existential crisis for numerous nations. If the North Korean regime is successful, they pose a massive threat to those in their immediate region and those on the west coast of the United States, including Alaska, which likely could be the subject of a missile strike.

Lee’s statement also clarified the potentiality of North Korea attempting to simply send a message to South Korean and the U.S. about leaving them alone entirely:

“Test-firing a ballistic missile just days after the Trump-Moon summit, where the two leaders discussed tightening sanction against North Korea, is Pyongyang’s way of sending a message of defiance to the US and South Korean leaders.”

A reminder: #NorthKorea said in March that its Hwasong-12 #rocket is designed to ‘strike the bases of the U.S. imperialist’ forces in Japan https://t.co/3NAmBSNxhU — Jean H. Lee (@newsjean) July 4, 2017

Meanwhile, the United States requested a “closed-door” meeting with the UN Security Council regarding North Korea’s recent missile test.

Reuters reports:

The spokesman said the meeting of the 15-member council was likely to be scheduled for Wednesday. Pyongyang said on Tuesday it had successfully test-launched a first intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, which analysts said could put all of Alaska in range for the first time.

Tuesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced that the U.S. will “never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea” following the recent, and successful, ICBM test.

Sec. of State Rex Tillerson on North Korea: “Global action is required to stop a global threat.” pic.twitter.com/3fRIbB6r8X — Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) July 4, 2017

In the wake of this, the U.S. and South Korea are holding “joint ballistic missile drills”, with Tillerson calling for “global action” in order to quell this “global threat”.

Yonhap: South Korea, U.S. hold joint ballistic missile drills in response to North Korea’s ICBM test. — Josh Caplan (@joshdcaplan) July 4, 2017

You can read Tillerson’s comments in full below: