North Korean Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States

Publication Date: February 2009

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Military and defense

Type:

Coverage: Korea (North)

Abstract:

This report reviews North Korea's ballistic missile program. On July 4-5, 2006, North Korea test-launched seven ballistic missiles, including a new Taepo Dong 2 that failed soon after launch. Apparently successful shorter-range missile tests at the time included some combination of SCUDs and No Dongs. In October 2006, North Korea conducted an underground low-yield nuclear test and said it would deploy nuclear weapons on its ballistic missiles, although there is no evidence they are doing so. The Administration will ask the 110th Congress to fund a National Missile Defense (NMD) site in Europe, which some analysts argue is needed because of the threat of North Korean ballistic missiles to Europe. This report will be updated as events warrant. Additional information is provided by CRS Report RL33590, North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Program, by Larry A. Niksch.