U.S. Launch Request Ratchets Up Tension

Already high tensions in the Korean peninsula rose a notch, with North Korea accusing the United States of trying to start a war in the region by insisting that the Communist country put off a missile launch. Emotions have been running high since reports surfaced recently that North Korea plans to test the long-range missile despite warnings from the U.S., South Korea and Japan. Some fear that the test could accelerate arms buying in the region and further isolate reclusive North Korea. In Geneva, the latest round of peace talks between the Koreas, China and the United States ended with little apparent progress.