Asia-Pacific

N.Korea confirms missile tests, vows more launches

(AP)
Updated: 2006-07-06 13:31
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Yonhap news agency reported the defense minister told lawmakers that intelligence showed further activity at North Korean launch pads.

"There is a possibility that North Korea will fire additional missiles," Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung was quoted as telling lawmakers, citing images of equipment going in and out of the launch sites.

The missiles are either short- or medium-range, reported Chosun Ilbo, one of South Korea's largest newspapers. It cited an unidentified senior South Korean official. Another major newspaper, JoongAng Ilbo, carried a similar report.

The North has also barred people from sailing into some areas off the coast until July 11 in a possible sign of preparations for additional launches, Chosun Ilbo said.
Japan, however, said there were no immediate signs of another attempt to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile. "We will keep watching the situation very closely," Shinzo Abe, the chief Cabinet secretary, said in Tokyo.

Despite the rise in tensions, South Korean officials said they had no plans to abandon their strategy of attempting to forge stronger ties with Pyongyang. While Seoul condemned the missile tests, it has also called for "patient dialogue" rather than sanctions in response.

"There is no change in Sunshine policy," Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok told the National Assembly on Thursday morning, referring to former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung's policy of rapprochement toward the North. Lee also said there was no need for the South Korean government to block personal exchanges between the two sides.

Bush has urged world leaders to stand united in demanding that North Korea give up its nuclear weapons program, saying the nation remains a threat even though its long-range missile faltered and plunged into the sea seconds after liftoff.

"One thing we have learned is that the rocket didn't stay up very long and tumbled into the sea, which doesn't, frankly, diminish my desire to solve this problem," Bush said.

Japan, within range of North Korean missiles, circulated a U.N. Security Council resolution that would ban any country from transferring funds, material and technology that could be used in North Korea's missile and weapons of mass destruction programs.

China and Russia countered that they favor a weaker council statement without any threat of sanctions. Because both countries hold veto power on the council, their positions will make it very difficult to win approval for tough measures against Pyongyang.

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