CNN says that North Korea's latest ballistic missile test has renewed discussion at the highest levels of the Trump administration about possible military options to stop Pyongyang’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

The cable news network reported on Saturday that numerous interviews with current and former administration officials revealed a list of options that could all result in massive civilian casualties even if U.S. targeters knew where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hidden all his weapons.

According to these officials, to get into North Korean airspace to attack any known missile or nuclear sites that can be located, the United States would rely on cruise missiles and fighter jets to begin attacking air defense missiles and radar sites.

The report said that U.S. officials are now looking again at any possible means for destroying thousands of artillery tubes and weapons the North has arrayed just north of the demilitarized zone.

CNN said that internal Pentagon estimates calculate it could take a complex air bombing and cruise missile campaign of a week or more, meaning the North could launch large-scale counterattacks causing massive civilian casualties.

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