North Korean Fireworks a dud.

July 5, 2006 in North Korea

Updated: 5 July

North Korea Tests 7th Missile Amid Furor 

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea test-fired another missile Wednesday, intensifying the furor ignited when the reclusive regime launched at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong, earlier in the day.

Reactions;

The political reaction was swift. The White House called the tests a “provocation,” while the U.N. Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Wednesday and Tokyo warned of economic sanctions against the impoverished communist country.

In Moscow, Russia summoned the North Korean ambassador to discuss the issue.

In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso warned of a “very high possibility” the U.N. would level economic sanctions against North Korea. Japan also protested the launches officially through Chinese capital, and banned a North Korean ferry from Japanese ports for six months.

Captains Quarters has more here

TOKYO (AP) — A defiant North Korea test-fired a long-range missile Wednesday that may be capable of reaching America, but it failed seconds after launch, U.S. officials said. The North also tested four shorter range missiles in an exercise the White House called “a provocation” but not an immediate threat.

Ignoring stern U.S. and Japanese warnings, the isolated communist nation carried out the audacious military tests even as the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July and launched the space shuttle.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported as many as 10 missiles altogether may have been launched, but officials could not confirm that.

None of the missiles made it as far as Japan. The Japanese government said all landed in the Sea of Japan between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

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Despite the fact that North Korea fired as many as 10 missiles the one that failed is the one that counts. A substantial portion of North Korea’s GDP is based in its arms sales and its missile exports to countries like Syria, Iran and  Egypt. With the international uproar over the missile tests, North Korea had possibly one of the best commercials available, provided the test worked. Since it didn’t it could prove to be one of the costliest tests that ever failed.   

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