North Korea Fires Missiles on the Fourth, As Promised

A barrage of ballistic missiles that North Korea test-fired over the weekend may have included a new type of a Scud with an extended range and improved accuracy that poses a threat to Japan, a South Korean newspaper reported Monday.

Pyongyang launched seven missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday in a show of force that defied U.N. resolutions and drew international condemnation. On Monday, South Korea's mass-circulation Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported the launches were believed to have included three Scud-ER missiles with a range of up to 620 miles. The paper said the Scud-ER has a longer range and better accuracy compared with previous Scud series so is "particularly a threat to Japan."

The Chosun Ilbo, citing a government source it did not name, said the other four missiles were two Scud-C missiles with a range of 310 miles and two medium-range Rodong missiles that can travel up to 810 miles. Five of the seven missiles flew about 260 miles from an eastern coastal launch site and landed in one area, meaning their accuracy has improved, the paper said.

The launches on July 4 — the U.S. Independence Day holiday — clearly intended to be a provocation of Washington as it moves to enforce U.N. as well as its own sanctions against the isolated regime for its May 25 nuclear test. Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned they were "very destabilizing, potentially."

But Vice President Joe Biden indicated the U.S. would not be baited by attacks on the day Americans celebrated their independence. On ABC, he described the flurry of rockets as "attention-seeking behavior." He added: "I don't want to give the attention."

Which seems to be the administration's way of saying, "We really can't do anything about it, other than plead to the U.N. to pass another resolution."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is concerned about the missile tests, which defied Security Council resolutions. He told reporters Sunday that North Korea's communist regime has closed all doors to communication and dialogue.

This seems to be the U.N.'s way of saying, "We really can't do anything about it, other than hope the United States, Japan and South Korea have the means of defending themselves."

North Korea is the bully on the block, and he's threatening to beat up every other kid on the block. Obama is likely to wait until it's too late before he acts.