Why aren't we shooting down NK's missles?

I believe you're being disingenuous...

The missile defense systems we have based in the region (theater as the article puts it) are terminal phase. This means they shoot the missile on the way down.

Had the missile been in terminal phase over Japan, Guam, or any other area in the region, our systems would have a high likelihood of working.

Since the missiles were not in the terminal phase at or near any of our protection areas, we didn't try.

There's a reason China & Russia shite themselves whenever we deploy missile defenses near their borders.

Not necessarily. I don't think our mindset is "it's okay as long as you're not aiming at anything of our concern." We've been as stern as we can be with our "no testing allowed" message. If we could shoot one out of the sky simply because they are testing, we would. The article does address the issue of not shooting one down because it wasn't going to hit anything, but that is more of an excuse than a reason at this point.

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Because we can't.

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I agree. IMO the accuracy of our ICBM Interceptor System is suspect. There's no wiggle room here. If we attempt to demonstrate our capability and we fail.......not good. Will only embolden that insane little fat man. I'm thinking he's daring us to attempt to knock down his missile. Either we have the capability to knock down his ICBM's or we don't. God help us if we fail to demonstrate that capability now. Better to keep him guessing, and keep firing our interceptors over our Atlantic Test Range until we perfect the accuracy (as best we can). IMO we can never be sure we'll stop his ICBM missiles completely, especially if he continues to perfect his warhead technology, especially the MIRV capability. Thank you Bill Clinton and Barack Obama for the mess you got us in.

One more thing, to all you agnostics and atheist out there. Learn to pray.