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• On June 1, 2009, it was reported that North Korea was moving a long-range missile into place for a launch sometime within the following few weeks. The indications were that the missile was one with a 4,000 mile range, putting Alaska within striking distance. Analysts were concerned that the launch would take place from a northern and previously unused launch site close to the Chinese border. The location is believed to represent a deterrent from any U.S. military strikes to the area. North Korea also issued a "no sail zone" through the end of July, possibly indicating a time frame for the missile launch.Fox News: Reports: N. Korea Prepares Long-Range Missile... (June 1, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. North Korean Government: Juche Stalinist Dictatorship
  2. Buffer between North Korea and South Korea at the 38th parallel called the Demilitarized Zone, or "no man's land"
  3. Withdrew from Nuclear proliferation treaty in 1993
  4. Reportedly has capability to make and fire nuclear weapons
  5. Labeled by President George W. Bush as a member of the "axis of evil" in a speech made in 2002
  6. Test-fired missile in 2006 which fell into the ocean only a few miles after takeoffIHT: Gates jokes about North Korean missile test (February 10, 2009)
  7. Kim Jong-Il allegedly suffered a stroke in August 2008
  8. Satellite images captured missile launch site in March 2009
  9. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says North Korea is trying to boost military capabilities
  10. U.S. military to be prepared to shoot down ICBMs aimed at Hawaii, Alaska, or western U.S. states

• 2009 Escalation

  On January 30, 2009, North Korea announced that it was suspending all military and political agreements with South Korea. It accused the South Korean government of pushing the relationship to the brink of war by using balloons filled with propaganda leaflets, launched at the north.Bloomberg.com: North Korea Scraps Military Accords With South Korea (January 30, 2009)

  North Korea announced plans for a testing exercise of a ballistic missile, the U.S. director of national intelligence announced on March 26, 2009. The action would be in violation of the U.N. Security Council and would be largely condemned by the international community. North Korea is also rumored to have threatened to restart its weapons-grade nuclear program.FoxNews.com: U.S. Threatens N. Korea With Harsh... (March 26, 2009)

  As the plans moved forward to test the missile, Japan mobilized its missile defense system in order to shoot down debris in their airspace. Meanwhile, the U.S. deployed ships capable of shooting down missiles to the Sea of Japan. According to North Korean officials, they planned to launch a commercial satellite with such a missile between April 4 and April 8.CNN: Image shows North Korea rocket ... (March 30, 2009)

  After U.S. military intelligence revealed that North Korea had begun fueling up the missile, North Korea threatened to respond to anyone who attempted to shoot down the missile, or even press the issue to the U.N. Security Council. Although unconfirmed by the North Korean government, MiG-23 fighters have been staged in the area of the missile launch.Fox News: N. Korea Threatens ... (April 2, 2009)

  On April 2, 2009, the U.S. Department of State released a statement telling North Korea simply "Don't launch your missile." While the U.S. has maintained that they would not like to see the launch go forward, there have been no direct threats at disputing the nation's rocket launch attempt.CNN: U.S. to North Korea: Don't launch your missile

  South Korean President Lee Myung-bak told Reuters on April 3, 2009, that North Korea may be planning to launch their missile as soon as Saturday, April 4, if weather permits. The South Korean government has put their Defense Ministry on an emergency 24-hour shift and has advised its citizens to refrain from visiting North Korea as they wait to see when and if a launch will take place.Bloomberg: South Korea on Alert... (April 4, 2009)Fox News: North Korea May Launch Rocket... (April 3, 2009)

  Although the United States, South Korea and Japan warned against the launch, North Korea went ahead with it on the morning of April 5, 2009. U.S. officials said the missile, which North Korea said was "carrying a satellite," landed in the Pacific Ocean after not reaching orbit. The United Nations Security Council met at 12:00 p.m. EST on April 5, 2009, to discuss the launch. Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, said it intended to press the council to add to "previous sanctions" and "toughen existing regimes."Bloomberg.com: U.S. to Ask for Tougher UN Sanctions on North Korea, Rice Says (April 5, 2009)

  On May 25 and May 26, 2009, North Korea continued to escalate the conflict through a clear violation of the United Nations resolution which prohibits their development of nuclear missiles. On Monday, May 25th, they reported a successful underground nuclear tests, which seismic and military analysts have confirmed. On Tuesday, May 26th, they conducted another short range missile test. While the U.N. has condemned the incidents, a formal resolution was not immediately put forward. Analysts are unsure if the actions are meant to garner a better bargaining position in nuclear talks or if it is an indication of a power struggle at the top of the Korean government.CNN: 'Saber rattling' N. Korea ... (May 26, 2009)

• Background

  The United States has been in conflict with North Korea to varying degrees since the Korean War. Although a ceasefire to the war was negotiated in 1953, a formal peace was never declared, and a cold war between the countries has existed for decades. The current leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Il, has been in power since 1994.Koreanwar.com: Timeline

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Kim Jong-Il | North Korea | United States | George W. Bush | N. Korea Nuclear Deadline | North Korea Ends Nuclear Program

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