In the early hours of July 5th-just minutes after the United States had celebrated Independence Day half a world away with a launch of the space shuttle Discovery—North Korea grabbed the world's attention with a show of its own. From at least a couple of sites, the reclusive country defied repeated international warnings, including from its sole ally, China, and let fly with six missiles directed towards the Sea of Japan. Among them were short-range Scud-type rockets capable of hitting South Korea, Nodong missiles whose range of over 800 miles (1,300 kilometres) puts them in reach of Japan, and a long-range Taepodong-2 ballistic missile capable, in theory, of reaching Alaska orieven the west coast of the United States (estimates of its range vary wildly). A further missile, probably a Scud-type, was launched later the same day. Further launches are promised.
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