North Korea Launches Two Mid-Range Missiles; First Failed
- Still unclear whether second missile launch was successful
- Japan says launches are ‘clear violation’ of UN resolutions
Replicas of a North Korean Scud-B missile (C-behind) and South Korean Hawk surface-to-air missiles (foreground) are seen at the Korean War Memorial in Seoul on February 17, 2011. Recent satellite images show that North Korea has completed a launch tower at its new missile base, a key step in efforts to test a missile which could eventually reach the United States, experts say. AFP PHOTO/JUNG YEON-JE (Photo credit should read JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty Images)
Photographer: JUNG YEON-JE/AFP/Getty ImagesNorth Korea on Wednesday launched what appeared to be two Musudan ballistic missiles, mid-range projectiles capable of hitting U.S. bases in Japan or Guam.
The first firing was seen as a failure, and South Korean authorities are still trying to determine whether the second was a success. The launches drew condemnation from Japan, the U.S. and South Korea.