SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea fired a barrage of short-range missiles off its east coast Thursday, a possible prelude to the launch of a long-range missile toward Hawaii over the July Fourth holiday.
Firing a ballistic missile on Independence Day would be a challenge to Washington, which has been rallying international support for enforcement of U.N. sanctions imposed against Pyongyang following a May 25 nuclear test. North Korea is banned from testing ballistic missiles under U.N. resolutions.
In 2006, North Korea launched its most advanced Taepodong-2 missile while the U.S. celebrated Independence Day, though the rocket fizzled shortly after takeoff and fell into the ocean.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the United States remains concerned about North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs but called Thursday’s launches “not unexpected.”
Several U.S. Defense Department officials said there is nothing to indicate that North Korea is ready to launch a long-range ballistic missile, and there appears to be no immediate threat to the United States.
The April 5 launch of a Taepodong-2 required 12 days of preparation on the launch pad, which was fully observable to U.S. satellites. Short- and medium-range missiles, however, can be launched with little notice.
Missile defenses around Hawaii were beefed up following a mid-June report in a Japanese newspaper that the North might fire a long-range missile toward the islands in early July.
Analysts predict the North will continue its provocative acts in an attempt to command world attention that can lead to economic benefits.
