NORTH KOREA SHOOTS AGAIN - AT 8:31 A.M. ET:  The North Koreans, thus far essentially unpunished for their nuclear and missile tests during the first months of the age of Obama, have provoked again: 

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea test-fired two short-range missiles Thursday, South Korea's Defense Ministry said, a move that aggravates the already high tensions following Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and U.N. sanctions imposed as punishment.

The missiles were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan on Thursday afternoon, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity citing department policy. He did not say what types of missiles were launched, but the Yonhap news agency said they were ground-to-ship missiles.

North Korea had earlier called for a no-sail zone in waters off its east coast through July 10 for military drills. That designation was viewed as a prelude to such missile tests.

The new launches are expected to exacerbate the tensions running high since Pyongyang's May 25 underground nuclear test and a series of missile firings. The U.N. Security Council adopted a tough sanctions resolution last month to punish the communist regime.

COMMENT:  The story's reference to "tough" U.N. sanctions is a stretch.  They're tough only if they work.  So far, the evidence on that is thin.

We look forward to a White House response, if anyone is interested.  Thus far, North Korea seems mighty unimpressed with President Obama.

July 2, 2009