Transcript for North Korea launch indicates the whole US potentially in range

new missile launch. A rare nighttime launch. They traveled higher and longer than any other previous attempt. Now, potentially able to strike deep into the U.S., including Chicago and New York. ABC's Gloria Riviera on the growing threat and what options the U.S. Might have. Reporter: Blast off in the dead of night. These new images show North Korea's latest, and most alarmingly successful, missile launch. We think that these missiles could now reach the center of the United States. Los Angeles, Chicago. Reporter: North Korea claims it can now make a surprise launch at any time, in any place, proving the whole U.S. Mainland is in the firing range. This latest missile shot 2,300 miles into space and landing in the sea of Japan. But North Korea can angle that trajectory to extend the reach dramatically. This latest test did not demonstrate whether North Korea can successfully arm the war head with a nuclear missile but -- Revised U.S. Defense intelligence estimates now say that the north Koreans could have a nuclear missile capable warhead within a year. Reporter: After the president trump conferred with his national security team. They issued a statement -- United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region. Already, the U.S. And South Korea conducted military exercises near North Korea. But with diplomatic negotiations stalled since 2009, further options are unclear. Any military action could prompt a catastrophic response from North Korea, an acute concern with some 82,000 U.S. Troops in the region. South Korea's president is asking the U.S. And the U.N. To consider tougher sanctions against North Korea. The regime's leader is vowing more tests to come. Tom. Gloria with that latest missile launch, thank you.

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