North Korea readies missiles

(Vatican Radio) North Korea put its missile units on standby on Friday, after the United States flew two nuclear-capable stealth bombers over the Korean peninsula in a rare show of force.

North Korea has an arsenal of Soviet-era short-range missiles that can hit South Korea and have been proven, but its longer-range missiles that could in theory hit U.S. Pacific bases are untested.

The United States on Thursday flew two radar-evading B-2 bombers on practice runs over South Korea, responding to a series of North Korean threats.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel defended America's military flights over South Korea saying North Korea had "ratcheted up the danger" in the region. He said North Korea's actions and rhetoric had increased tensions in the region: “Is North Korea more dangerous today? I think their very provocative actions, and belligerent tone, has ratcheted up the danger. And we have to understand that reality.”

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