N. Korea test fires missiles; is the big one next?

The short-range tests could be a prelude to a rumored long-range test, aimed at the U.S., on the Fourth of July.

Last update: July 2, 2009 - 8:04 PM

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.

The missile tests, reported by the South Korean news agency Yonhap, had been widely expected, since North Korea had warned ships to avoid its east coast through July 10 because of military exercises.

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 after a May 25 nuclear test. North Korea is banned from testing ballistic missiles under U.N. resolutions.

Several Defense Department officials, however, said there is nothing to indicate that North Korea is ready to launch a long-range ballistic missile. 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.

The head of the U.S. Northern Command, Gen. Victor E. Renuart, told the Washington Times this week that U.S. missile defenses are prepared to knock down any incoming North Korean missile. "I think we ought to assume there might be one on the Fourth of July," he said, according to the paper.

On July 4, 2006, North Korea launched its most advanced Taepodong 2 missile, but the rocket fizzled shortly after takeoff and fell into the ocean.

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