The North fired the short-range, ground-to-air missile from its Musudan-ni launch site on the east coast, a South Korean government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.North Korea continues sensing weakness from the rest of the world - a lack of resolve by the US, coupled with a determination to see just how far Kim Il Jung can press his luck. Nuclear tests didn't get it done. Missile launches didn't get it done. Calling the 1953 cease fire agreement over didn't get it done. More missile launches haven't gotten it done.
The new missile is believed to have a range of about 160 miles.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said no additional U.S. troops would be sent to the region.
"I don't think that anybody in the administration thinks there is a crisis," Gates told reporters aboard his military jet early Friday.
In Washington, the Army's top officer, Gen. George Casey, expressed confidence that the U.S. could fight a conventional war against North Korea if necessary, despite continuing conflicts elsewhere.
North Korea, meanwhile, warned it would retaliate if provoked.
Is it possible that the Administration has accidentally hit upon a possible option for dealing with North Korea without realizing it? By ignoring the problem, they've backed Kim into a corner where his only options are to fire off test missiles and carry out his long planned nuclear tests. After he's done that, what else can he do? That's seemingly the worst that he can do, and after that, he's lost his chance.
The problem with this is that North Korea's leader may be just irrational enough to initiate a war with Japan, South Korea, or the US. Worse still, North Korea could expand its weapons sales and sell off its nuclear technologies to third parties, including Iran and other rogue regimes.
Containing that scenario must be a top priority.
In the meantime, everyone needs to maintain a wary view of North Korea's actions to see if they'll continue pressing their luck.
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