U.S. Sticks to ICBM Test-Flight Plan Despite North Korea Tensions
- February missile tests scheduled years ago, military says
- Tests at most ‘an irritant’ for North Korea, analyst says
This article is for subscribers only.
The U.S. Air Force is going ahead with two long-planned flight tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles next month despite efforts to damp tensions over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and encourage fragile talks with South Korea.
Test launches of American missiles -- without the nuclear warheads they can deliver -- would be unlikely to cause much of a stir under regular circumstances. But they may prove sensitive coming the same month as the Winter Olympics, which are to be hosted by South Korea beginning Feb. 9. North Korea has agreed to send its athletes, and the U.S. has postponed joint military exercises with South Korea that normally would begin next month.