North Korea missile test

North Korea is reportedly working up to testing of a longer-range intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the whole of the continental U.S.

Monday's test was North Korea's fourth launch in under two weeks. By contrast, it took the North 10 months to conduct that many ballistic missile tests last year.

With the holiday just days away and no sign of a diplomatic breakthrough in sight, here are what experts say are the possibilities for North Korea's "Christmas gift."

Following a speech by South Korean President Moon Jae-in vowing to reunify the Koreas, Pyongyang said it would no longer pursue peace with Seoul.

It wasn't immediately clear what type of weapon was tested early Friday, but South Korea's military noted the missiles traveled at hypersonic speeds and flew about 137 miles.

Pyongyang said the new multiple rocket system would cause "inescapable distress" to enemy forces. The test on Wednesday was first thought to be of a short-range ballistic missile.

The latest test of two short-range missiles follows a similar launch last week. It comes as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he is "hopeful" talks between Washington and Pyongyang will resume soon.

The test of short-range missiles — one of which may be a new design — is seen as a pressure tactic on Washington as Pyongyang warns against a resumption of U.S.-South Korea military exercises.

The apparent missiles were launched from the northwest, far from the border that divides the Korean Peninsula.

Joel Wit, a former State Department official who played a key role in negotiating and implementing the 1994 denuclearization deal with North Korea, writes about important lessons.

Although 20 other Japanese cities have already undergone similar drills simulating a North Korean ballistic missile attack, it was the first such exercise for the capital.