North Korea tested on Wednesday two short-range missiles, stirring growing concerns over the communist nuclear regime. Some sources said the launching was a mistake during a military drill. South Korean officials confirmed the incident, saying that the missiles were aimed towards the East Sea, the country wanting to improve its missile capacity.

Jack Pritchard, from the Korea Economic Institute, said that this is the 3rd known incident of missiles being fired during the past 18 months. Scott McClellan, spokesman for the White House, said in a statement while traveling with President George W. Bush in Mississippi:
"Indications are that North Korea launched two short-range missiles.
The regime has conducted similar tests in the past. We have consistently pointed out that North Korea's missile program is a concern that poses a threat to the region and the larger international community."

U.S. officials urged the country to take part in talks concerning the nuclear program alongside Russia, Japan, China, and South Korea. "There are five other parties ready to come back, without precondition, and at an early date. We continue to encourage them (the North Koreans) to do so and to return to the talks without preconditions; to be ready to engage in serious negotiations," stated State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.

A North Korean official declared that his country will not come to the discussions until the United States will put an end to its financial crackdown on Pyongyang's assets. This crackdown was ordered after suspicions of illicit activities that would help fund the North's nuclear program.