North Korea launches missiles
Wednesday, July 5th, 2006 | 6:14 pm @ SK
Defiant North Korea test-fired a seventh missile Wednesday, South Korean officials said, intensifying the furor ignited when the reclusive regime launched at least six missiles earlier in the day.
North Korea’s display of firepower came after months of failed efforts to restart six-nation talks aimed at convincing the communist nation to abandon its nuclear weapons program in exchange for economic and political rewards.
The Bush administration and North Korea blame each other for the impasse, and the test-firings made chances for a resumption of the so-called six-party talks — which also involved China, Russia, South Korea and Japan — even more remote.
The news comes hours after North Korea test-fired at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2, sparking global condemnation.
A foreign ministry official said such launches were a matter of national sovereignty, Japanese media reported. Correspondents say Pyongyang may see this action as a way to get attention and break the diplomatic log jam over stalled talks on its nuclear capabilities.
The earlier missile launches came as the US celebrated its Independence Day holiday and launched the space shuttle from Florida.