North Korea’s July 4th fireworks show
Seven missiles were fired Saturday into the Sea of Japan. None were the long-range missiles that could reach Hawaii.
By David Clark Scott | International news editor 07.04.09
North Korea “celebrated” the US Independence Day with a few of its own fireworks.
It fired seven miles into the Sea of Japan. But none of these were the intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that everyone has been expecting. The seven fired today could not reach Hawaii.
These missiles traveled about 400 kilometers (about 250 miles), according to South Korean military officials interviewed by Yonhap news agency. The South Korean news agency added that these might have been modified, longer range missiles.
South Korean officials did not rule out the possibility that what the North fired might have actually been Rodong missiles — modifications of Scuds — saying their flight distances may have been shortened deliberately.
Rodong-type missiles have an estimated range of 1,000-1,500km and are able to reach many parts of Japan.
In any case, these were not the long-range Taepodong-2 missiles that North Korea caught everyone’s attention with three years ago Independence Day. At this point, there are no reports of activity around the launch facilities in
North Korea where the long-range missiles are fire from.
Nonetheless, Japan and South Korean officials described this latest salvo as a “provocative” act.
South Korea’s joint chiefs of staff said the missile test violated three United Nations Security Council resolutions, including the latest one on June 12 that increased sanctions on North Korea after its May 25 missile test.
Japan also condemned the North’s missile launches and warned that it would take “appropriate measures” to implement the UN resolutions, reported The Hindu.
“It is a serious act of provocation against the security of neighbouring countries, including our country,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said.
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Comments
2. Dave | 07.05.09
You need to check spelling and grammer before posting! It really calls credibility into question.
3. cliffyworld | 07.05.09
The President needs to step up to the plate and reaffirm a strong, long-term US military commitment to its many allies in the region and not reply with weak rhetoric to a narcissistic dictator.
4. geoffmc | 07.06.09
As long as the U.S. holds on to any portion of its nuclear arsenal there will be no weight to its demands for any country not to obtain the same. Current U.S. demands belittle a sovereign power, labeling it of less worth and standing. It is no wonder North Korea will not come to a table where it is not viewed or treated as an equal.
5. Klind | 07.06.09
North Korea is like a delinquent child playing with a gun to demand attention. The country is of less worth and standing, and should not be viewed or treated as an equal. It should be disciplined until it behaves properly.
6. popsensation | 07.08.09
North Korea has been alienating every other country for years…. It’s no doubt that they have no friends and are now looking to lash out… Kind of like Columbine but much larger scale.
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1. Timmm | 07.04.09
0.o. This Is a deliberate defiance of American imperialism.