North Korean missile launch a message to U.S., experts say

With last long-range test in 1998, test of technology a possibility

In the early morning hours of July 5, North Korea consecutively fired at least six missiles, including a long-range Daepodong-2 missile. As this is an unprecedented incident, various ideas are being raised regarding the meaning of the tests.

The North launched a "gift set" of missiles, containing all the short-, middle-, and long-range missiles in its arsenal, such as the Daepodong-2, Scud, and Nodong-class missiles. Regarding this, a South Korean official said, "The North intended to maximize the effect of its missile launch. Pyongyang wanted to display its missile capabilities comprehensively."

As the U.S. recently rejected the North’s visit invitation to Christopher Hill, assistant secretary of state and head envoy to the now-stalled six-party talks on Pyongyang’s nuclear program, and Washington condemned the North’s preparations to fire the missiles, the communist nation is playing a "missile card" to get Washington into direct talks, according to some analysts.

Some military officials mulled reasons why the North fired missiles of all three ranges. According to the officials, North Korea intended to threaten South Korea with short-range missiles, Japan with mid-range ones and the U.S. with its long-range arsenal, respectively.

Apart from political purposes for the launch, North Korea needed to technically enhance its capability to test missiles, some experts noted. Since its Daepodong-1 test launch in September 1998, Pyongyang has not test-fired intermediate and long-range missiles. As North Korea’s main source of income is from exporting missiles, there might be a necessity to test advanced missiles for ’sale purposes.’