North Korea’s Taepodong 2 and the End of the Missile Moratorium
A good part of June was filled with reports, speculation, and plenty of opinions about North Korea’s missile program and the question of whether or not Pyongyang would test a Taepodong 2. Those that were most concerned about a possible North Korea long-range missile test believe it represents Pyongyang’s ultimate desire to have a weapon of mass destruction and the means to deliver it at a great distance. Part of Pyongyang’s thinking may be driven by its belief that a combination of weapon and delivery system would be a strong deterrent against the United States. Along with concerns about Pyongyang’s intent is an equally strong concern about the potential proliferation dangers of a flight-tested ICBM.