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Analysis: North Korea Tests At Least Seven Missiles

Council on Foreign Relations

July 5, 2006
Prepared by: Esther Pan

In defiance of international warnings, North Korea test-fired at least seven missiles into the Sea of Japan (NYT). The missile tests came in the face of stern warnings from the United States, Japan, and China, and brought immediate international condemnation (AP). Japan, which feels particularly threatened by Pyongyang (BBC), responded by banning the docking of a ferry that is the main transport link between Japan and North Korea (Asia Times) and called for additional sanctions (al-Jazeera). At the request of Japan's government, the United Nations convened an emergency session to discuss the North Korea tests (AP). The White House called the missile launches "provocative" but said they did not threaten Americans. CFR President Richard Haass says on the Today show that Pyongyang is reminding the world it is a threat (Video clip).

North Korea's long-range Taepodong 2 missile, the focus of particular concern because it could potentially reach the United States, exploded in mid-air (LAT). The other missiles fired—up to ten—were reportedly a mix of short-range Scud and medium-range Rodong missiles.

Read the rest of this article on the cfr.org website.

Copyright 2006 by the Council on Foreign Relations. This material is republished on GlobalSecurity.org with specific permission from the cfr.org. Reprint and republication queries for this article should be directed to cfr.org.