North Korea may begin flight tests of the improved design of its ICBMs in the near future, Reuters reported referring to Air Force General Glen VanHerck.

VanHerck told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Pyongyang's significantly larger and probably more capable ICBM has further exacerbated the threat to the United States. However, he expressed confidence in the US missile defense.

The US general also noted that North Korea freed itself from a testing moratorium more than a year ago. 

“The North Korean regime has also indicated that it is no longer bound by the unilateral nuclear and ICBM testing moratorium announced in 2018, suggesting that Kim Jong Un may begin flight testing an improved ICBM design in the near future,” VanHerck said in his written testimony.

The White House has confirmed that it has tried to reach out to North Korea, but has not received a response, exacerbating the chill in relations that began at the end of Donald Trump's rule.