"There's speculation that these rockets – AKA international ballistic missiles – have the range to strike the west coast here in the States." If they can launch it to space, it can hit anywhere in the world. The media uses the "west coast" as a means to instil more fear into the western citizen. Our media's propaganda is no different than the north koreans, and most likely much less truthful.
"peaceful" space exploration program - What if it really is peaceful, and why the quotes around peaceful? Is north korea not entitled to their own space program? They did nothing illegal when they launched that satellite into space. If I was the north I would be doing the same thing as they are now. With the rest of the world out to get them how can you blame them?