U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has reiterated Washington's position that it would only shoot down a North Korean long range missile if it threatens the U.S. or its allies.

He told reporters the U.S. military would not necessarily shoot down a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM), if the missile appeared to pose no threat.

The defense chief added it may be more to the U.S. advantage to conserve its interceptor missiles and gather intelligence from the North’s launch rather than disrupt it.  

Reuters reports U.S. Marine General Joseph Dunford is backing Carter's position.

Dunford is set to remain as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff even after Donald Trump's January 20th inauguration as president.

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