A senior presidential official has downplayed the growing military tension between the U.S. and North Korea. 

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the official on Wednesday addressed the North’s threat of "enveloping fire" around the U.S. Western Pacific island of Guam, made earlier in the day.

The official said the announcement was made for domestic political purposes, and if well managed, the current situation may even present an opportunity to overcome the security challenges in the region.

The presidential staff added that the Pyongyang regime is overreacting following the passage of new UN Security Council sanctions.