Politics | North Korea US Delays Missile Test Over N. Korea Tensions White House defends move as 'absolutely not' a retreat By Neal Colgrass Posted Apr 7, 2013 2:23 PM CDT Copied A Chimera target launch vehicle, which is a modified Minuteman booster vehicle, successfully launched late Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008, from the Vandenberg Air Force Base near Lompoc, Calif. (AP Photo/U.S. Air Force, 2nd Lt. Raymond Geoffroy) As tensions escalate with North Korea, the US has opted to delay a missile test at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, CNN reports. The long-planned test of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was unrelated to North Korea, but delaying it is "prudent and wise" in light of North Korea's sabre-rattling, said a Pentagon official. Top White House adviser Dan Pfeiffer defended the move today on Fox News Sunday, saying the delay is "absolutely not" a retreat following Pyongyang's aggressive rhetoric, reports The Hill. "The onus is on North Korea to take the step back," said Pfeiffer. Read These Next FBI says 'person of interest' in Kirk killing is in custody. Charlie Kirk's death has been confirmed. Moment of silence for Kirk ends in House shouting match. Two photos show 'person of interest' in Kirk shooting. Report an error