North Korea fired up to two short-range missiles off its west
coast Thursday, Yonhap news agency quoted government officials as
saying, the second launch in as many weeks, drawing quick criticism
from the United States.
South Korea defense ministry official confirmed Pyongyang had
fired at least one missile, but could not specify the exact number
or type.
White House National Security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said
that the North Korea missile test activity was "not constructive"
and Pyongyang should focus on dismantling its nuclear
program.
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Pyongyang has refused to implement a February 13 deal with South
Korea, the United States, Russia, China and Japan under which it
agreed to begin shutting down its nuclear programs in return for
energy aid.
Analysts say Pyongyang has used the missile tests as a signal to
show its impatience with the international community and to make
sure that Pyongyang gets the attention it feels it deserves.
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"The United States and our allies believe that North Korea should
refrain from testing missiles," Johndroe said in a statement to
reporters on the sidelines of a Group of Eight summit in
Heiligendamm, Germany.
"We have confirmed that the North has fired a missile," said a
South Korea defense ministry official, adding it appeared to be
part of regular military exercises.
In late May, the North fired a short-range surface-to-ship
missile off its east coast. Both South Korea and US officials
dismissed the launch as part of regular military drills.
Asked about the most recent apparent launch, a Japanese Defense
Ministry official said: "I am aware of the report but we have not
been able to confirm it. Even if it is true, I don't think it poses
a grave threat to the security of neighboring countries including
Japan."
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Yonhap quoted a South Korea government official as saying: "We
suspect the number of missiles fired today was one or two. We are
working to distinguish the types of missiles."
Normally, missiles fired off the west coast would land in the
Yellow Sea which lies between the Korean Peninsula and China.
"Last month when the North fired one missile off the east coast,
it had also tried to do the same thing off the west coast," Yonhap
quoted the South Korean government official as saying. "It seems
like they fired those which they had not fired at the time."
(China Daily via agencies June 8, 2007)
