|
DPRK test-fires 4 short-range missiles
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-03 07:52 The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) test-fired four short-range missiles yesterday, the Republic of Korea's (ROK) Defense Ministry said, a move that aggravates already high tensions following Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and UN sanctions imposed as punishment. Two ground-to-ship missiles were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan in the afternoon, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy. Two more missiles were fired from the east coast, but the site and the type of rocket were not immediately known, the official said. But Yonhap news agency, citing an unnamed military official, reported the first three missiles flew about 100 km and identified them as KN-01 missiles with a range of up to 160 km. The DPRK had earlier called for a no-sail zone in waters off its east coast through July 10 for military drills. That designation was viewed as a prelude to such missile tests.
The launches came as the DPRK's relations with the United States, the ROK and other countries were already severely strained after its May 25 underground nuclear test and a series of missile firings. The UN Security Council adopted a tough sanctions resolution last month. Even before the launch of the missiles was reported, diplomatic efforts were underway yesterday to try to defuse the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula. In Beijing, a US envoy held talks with Chinese officials about UN sanctions but declined to comment on Pyongyang's latest missile launches. "We just had very good conversations with our colleagues at the Foreign Ministry and other agencies. We are here in a process of cooperation and collaboration with our Chinese colleagues," said Philip Goldberg, a former ambassador. Goldberg did not give details of his talks. Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, China's top nuclear envoy, left for Russia yesterday as part of efforts to bring Pyongyang back to the stalled nuclear disarmament talks, the Foreign Ministry said. The trip will also take Wu to the US, Japan and the ROK, the ministry said. The five nations have engaged in talks with the DPRK since 2003 in an effort to persuade Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear programs in return for economic aid and other concessions. In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said the latest test-firings of missiles was a "provocative act", Kyodo News reported Hours earlier, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura indicated that Tokyo was bracing for a longer-range ballistic missile launch by Pyongyang, possibly on US Independence Day tomorrow. Liu Jiangyong, an expert on Northeast Asian security at Tsinghua University, said the launch shows Pyongyang is "extremely dissatisfied" with developments after the latest UN sanctions were imposed. "The DPRK considers some recent moves by the US and the ROK as severe threats," Liu said, referring to a Pyongyang ship changing course after being under US surveillance for more than a week. Noting regional clashes should not be ruled out, Liu said the current situation in Northeast Asia was worrisome. "It's no longer an issue of trying to persuade Pyongyang to return to the Six-Party Talks, but one of preventing (military) clashes in this dangerous period," he said. AP-Reuters-China Daily (China Daily 07/03/2009 page1) |
