2006 North Korean Missile Test

2006 North Korean Missile Test

Two rounds of North Korean missile tests were conducted on July 5, 2006. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) reportedly fired at least seven separate missiles. These included two short-range Nodong-2 missiles, one Scud missile and up to two long-range Taepodong-2 missiles; the latter having been estimated by United States intelligence agencies as having a potential range reaching as far as Alaska in its current stage. Some, including Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, believed that North Korea would carry out additional missile tests in the days that followed.

North Korea made its first public acknowledgement of the tests on July 6, through its foreign ministry, describing them as "successful" and part of "regular military drills to strengthen self-defense," insisting that it had the legal right to do so. The country warned of "stronger physical actions" if it were put under pressure by the international community. On July 8, CNN reported that the U.S. had deployed the USS Mustin, a guided missile destroyer, to the Japanese port of Yokosuka, home of the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet. A spokeswoman said that the deployment was not related to the test-firings, and it had been previously planned.