According to Japanese media, North Korea may be preparing to launch a long-range ballistic missile that could reach the United States. So, um... should I panic now, or have dinner first?
NHK said that the missile appeared to be a Taepodong-2, which previous reports have said has a range of more than 6,700 km (4,200 miles), making it capable of hitting the continental United States with a light payload.
NHK, quoting U.S. government officials, said if the missile was a modified version of the Taepodong-2, it could have a range of 15,000 km (9,300 miles), which would cover all of the United States.
Quoting Japanese government sources, Japan's Kyodo news agency also said a launch could be imminent and that the missile was probably a Taepodong-2 but could be the modified version.
U.S. officials have said the North is developing longer-range missiles that could hit the continental United States.
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