ID :
42399
Fri, 01/23/2009 - 19:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/42399
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea renews claim to nuclear status
SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's state news agency said Friday that the U.S. military recognizes North Korea as a nuclear state, renewing Pyongyang's claim to membership in the nuclear weapons club ahead of expected negotiations with Washington.
North Korea has insisted that it be recognized as a nuclear state following a
nuclear weapons test in 2006. Regional powers, including the United States and
Russia, have so far denied Pyongyang's claims.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said that a special U.S. Department of
Defense investigations committee for nuclear weapons management "recently made
public a report designating the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state." DPRK is the
acronym for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"The report said that the DPRK has not only several nuclear weapons but a missile
system capable of delivering them," KCNA said.
It is a general view of the international media, KCNA continued, that the
Pentagon has "put the DPRK in the same category as that of India and Pakistan
recognized as unofficial nuclear weapons states."
The North's media have repeatedly echoed U.S. military officials' remarks and
reported on documents on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.
In the latest such remarks, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a
contribution to the January-February edition of the journal Foreign Affairs that
"North Korea has built several bombs, and Iran seeks to join the nuclear club."
U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledged on the campaign trail that the North had
up to eight nuclear weapons.
North Korea's first-ever atomic test is believed to have been relatively small,
with less than a kiloton in yield and below the standards of what is considered a
successful nuclear test.
Russia's ambassador to South Korea, Glev Ivashendsov, said in a Seoul forum this
week that Moscow does not acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power.
Regional powers grouping South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia are
seeking a resolution to the dispute on North Korea's nuclear weapons program
under a 2007 deal, in which Pyongyang agreed to terminate its nuclear drive in
exchange for energy and diplomatic incentives. The negotiations are on hold until
Obama rolls out his policy on North Korea.
hkim@yna.co.kr
North Korea has insisted that it be recognized as a nuclear state following a
nuclear weapons test in 2006. Regional powers, including the United States and
Russia, have so far denied Pyongyang's claims.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said that a special U.S. Department of
Defense investigations committee for nuclear weapons management "recently made
public a report designating the DPRK as a nuclear weapons state." DPRK is the
acronym for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"The report said that the DPRK has not only several nuclear weapons but a missile
system capable of delivering them," KCNA said.
It is a general view of the international media, KCNA continued, that the
Pentagon has "put the DPRK in the same category as that of India and Pakistan
recognized as unofficial nuclear weapons states."
The North's media have repeatedly echoed U.S. military officials' remarks and
reported on documents on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons.
In the latest such remarks, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said in a
contribution to the January-February edition of the journal Foreign Affairs that
"North Korea has built several bombs, and Iran seeks to join the nuclear club."
U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledged on the campaign trail that the North had
up to eight nuclear weapons.
North Korea's first-ever atomic test is believed to have been relatively small,
with less than a kiloton in yield and below the standards of what is considered a
successful nuclear test.
Russia's ambassador to South Korea, Glev Ivashendsov, said in a Seoul forum this
week that Moscow does not acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear power.
Regional powers grouping South Korea, the U.S., China, Japan and Russia are
seeking a resolution to the dispute on North Korea's nuclear weapons program
under a 2007 deal, in which Pyongyang agreed to terminate its nuclear drive in
exchange for energy and diplomatic incentives. The negotiations are on hold until
Obama rolls out his policy on North Korea.
hkim@yna.co.kr
