An international ballistic missile test has been delayed by the US. The test has been put off so as to avoid tensions with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. There was a fear among diplomatic circles that anger between the people might erupt into a conflict within the Korean peninsula.
The US said that the test will be rescheduled in California next week and comes as the international community grows increasingly nervous, that the situation might go out of control. A defence official from the US said that Chuck Hagel, the Defence Secretary, has postponed the Minuteman 3 test at Vandenberg Air Force Base until next month.
The test was postponed as some feared that North Korea could misunderstand the procedure as being one of agression towards the country. A US official said, “We wanted to avoid that misperception or manipulation. We are committed to testing our ICBMs to ensure a safe, secure, effective nuclear arsenal.”
Reports say that the US has loaded two intermediate range missiles on mobile launchers and hidden them in underground facilities near its east coast. This has increased speculation that the country is preparing for a provocative launch. Press reports have said that Japan will order its armed forces to shoot down any DPRK missile which head towards it territory.
