North Korean missile test bares deep misunderstanding between Japan and NKorea

Japan and China, meanwhile, pushed different strategies for how the U.N. should respond to last week's missile launches.

Photo: North Korean missile test bares deep misunderstanding between Japan and NKorea

The squabbling was likely to please the enigmatic North, which frequently tries to drive a wedge between America and its allies in the campaign to defuse Pyongyang's nuclear threat.

The North sent shivers throughout the region last week by test-firing seven missiles, believed to include a long-range Taepodong-2 - potentially capable of hitting the United States.

The missiles also triggered a flurry of diplomatic activity, which continued Tuesday with the U.S. envoy on North Korea wrapping up a Japan visit and flying back to China for more talks. A high-level North Korean delegation also traveled to Beijing, while the North and South were to begin a new round of ministerial meetings in the southern city of Busan. Seoul said it would raise the missiles during the four days of talks, according to the AP.

Verbal sniping intensified Tuesday between Japan and South Korea.