The U.S., along with South Korea and Japan, initially assessed the launch involved a ballistic missile, with Japanese officials estimating it flew for about 500 kilometers.
But U.S. defense officials Thursday indicated they are reexamining the launch in view of Pyongyang’s assertions.
“We are aware of these reports, and we are assessing the specific nature of the recent launch event,” Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Martin Meiners told VOA.
“We are consulting closely with our allies as we assess the recent event and as we determine next steps, Meiners added. “We take any new capability seriously.”