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If North Korea has really developed an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), this is a game-changer and it will force US President Donald Trump to act.
It would mean US bases in the Pacific and Alaska could be hit and — with more development — cities such as Seattle, San Francisco or Los Angeles could be devastated with a North Korean nuclear bomb.
But the first problem is how to verify North Korea's claim of a successful launch.
It is almost impossible, but what we do know is it that with every test, the nation has been making steady progress towards its goal of hitting America.
They've had 11 tests this year.
Most experts agree that within a couple of years North Korea would develop ICMB capability, so this is a bit earlier than anticipated.
But scientists and experts will now be busy assessing the claim and questioning whether North Korea really has developed the reliable capability of, for example, an effective guidance system.
Then there is the bigger problem of how might America respond.
If Mr Trump chooses to take out the nuclear sites and testing facilities then it risks a full-scale war in North Asia.
North Korea is likely to hit South Korea and cause massive casualties with conventional artillery.
Then it's possible it may fire nuclear weapons at South Korea or Japan.
The other complicating factor is how China will respond.
Will it go in and occupy North Korea and threaten confrontation with America and South Korea?
China won't tolerate a volatile state on its border, a possible humanitarian crisis on its border or a pro-US regime in place of North Korea.
Serious decisions and consequences will have to be weighed up in the coming days and weeks.
Topics: defence-and-national-security, defence-forces, security-intelligence, treaties-and-alliances, unrest-conflict-and-war, donald-trump, korea-democratic-people-s-republic-of
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