North Korea conducted seven missile tests in defiance of UN resolutions on July 1. These were medium-range missiles belonging to the Nodong-family of missiles and not long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles as some analysts had expected. While Washington took precautions to counter a potential threat by deploying an anti-missile system in Hawaii, South Korea condemned the tests as “provocative act that clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions 1695, 1718 and 1874 that bar North Korea’s every activity related to missiles.” Pyongyang has meanwhile warned international shipping to stay away from its eastern coast until July 10, indicating the possibility of more tests1.

• 1. “Seven N. Korea missile tests defy the West”, The Washington Times, 5 July, 2009, http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/05/seven-fourth-of-july-missile...