U.S. Could Repel N. Korea Missile

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the U.S. is capable of blocking missiles from North Korea with its emerging missile-defense system. “If there were a launch from a rogue state such as North Korea, I have good confidence that we would be able to deal with it,” Gates said while touring a missile-defense complex in Alaska. North Korea tested a nuclear bomb and launched six short-range missiles last month. Gates said about 30 interceptor rockets—the amount in California—could handle an attack from North Korea. China may have cut off its relationship with North Korea, which would be the strongest response to its nuclear test so far.