West outraged at North Korean missile tests

The world erupted in outrage today over a series of North Korean missile tests, with wary nations denouncing the launches as provocative, threatening sanctions and vowing to seek UN Security Council action.

Leading the chorus was the United States, which said the audacious military exercise – including the abortive launch of a long-range Taepodong-2 believed capable of reaching American shores – was meant to “intimidate” other countries.