ID :
44023
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 20:29
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/44023
The shortlink copeid
(News Focus) N. Korea flexes muscles to pressure S. Korea, U.S.: experts
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- In gearing up to test-fire its signature long-range missile, North Korea is mounting pressure on South Korea over their fraying ties and intensifying its bid to grab the attention of U.S. President Barack Obama, analysts said.
Officials in Seoul said Tuesday U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies have
spotted a North Korean train carrying what is believed to be the communist
state's longest-range missile, the Taepodong-2.
The model is capable of traveling up to 6,000 kilometers, weapons experts say,
meaning it could strike U.S. territory, including Alaska and the west coast.
North Korea test-fired a Taepodong-2 missile in 2006 -- the same year it tested a
nuclear bomb -- but the missile crashed shortly after take-off, according to
outside assessments.
South Korean officials said Tuesday they were unsure whether the North would go
ahead with the actual launch, but added it would take only a month or two for the
North to complete the preparation.
"We're watching it," Lt. Gen. Joseph Fil Jr., the second-highest U.S. commander
here, said after a meeting with South Korean defense ministry officials in Seoul.
"We don't know what they are going to do."
"The missile is primarily aimed at escalating tension on the peninsula," Kim
Keun-sik, a professor at the University of North Korea Studies, said. "The North
is trying to show that a rise in tension will do the South no good."
The ties between the Koreas degraded to one of their lowest levels in decades
after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office early last year with a
pledge to get tougher on the North.
Suggesting a departure from his liberal predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee maintained
that his rapproachment policy would depend on North Korea's willingness to
discard its nuclear weapons programs.
Accusing Lee of attempting to topple its regime, Pyongyang has cut off all
dialogue instead. It also declared all peace accords with the South "dead" and
warned of an armed clash in the Yellow Sea.
Lee said Friday he will wait it out until North Korea returns to dialogue.
"North Korea is agitated that South Korea continues to refuse to reverse its
stance," said Paik Hak-soon, a senior researcher at the independent think tank
Sejong Institute, warning the North could be compelled to further raise tension
if the South does not shift course.
The two countries remain divided over a heavily armed border after the 1950-53
Korean War ended without a formal peace pact.
Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seoul's Dongguk University, suggested the
preparation for a missile launch is the latest North Korean gesture aimed at
drawing U.S. attention.
"It is making almost full use of its diplomatic cards," he said, adding the
actual test is unlikely because it would ruin Pyongyang-Washington ties even
before negotiations begin.
Six-nation disarmament talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programs remain
stalled as Pyongyang refuses to accept a U.S. proposal on methods to verify its
past nuclear activities.
Obama, who took office in mid-January, has indicated he would mix bilateral and
multilateral negotiations to resolve the stalemate, and observers say his
government has yet to formulate its North Korea policy fully.
Koh said North Korea might still be tempted to redeem itself for the 2006 missile
failure if talks falter with the U.S.
"It would mean the North is capable of delivering its nuclear weapons, even
biological and chemical arms, and that would boost North Korea's confidence," he
said.
A Taepodong-2 missile can carry a payload of up to 500 kilograms. The North
declared last month through a U.S. scholar it has "weaponized" 30.8 kilograms of
plutonium, enough to create several atomic bombs.
"North Korean leader Kim Jong-il wants a prompt and comprehensive deal that will
guarantee the survival of his regime," Ryoo Kihl-jae, an expert at the University
of North Korea Studies, said.
Ryoo said Kim's reported health problems might have to do with the recent series
of moves by North Korea. Kim, who turns 67 this month, is rumored to have
suffered a stroke last summer.
"Crying for candy when it's not ready won't help," said Kim Yeon-Chul, a North
Korea expert at Seoul's Korea University.
The six-nation talks include the two Koreas, the U.S., Japan, Russia and host China.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Feb. 3 (Yonhap) -- In gearing up to test-fire its signature long-range missile, North Korea is mounting pressure on South Korea over their fraying ties and intensifying its bid to grab the attention of U.S. President Barack Obama, analysts said.
Officials in Seoul said Tuesday U.S. and South Korean intelligence agencies have
spotted a North Korean train carrying what is believed to be the communist
state's longest-range missile, the Taepodong-2.
The model is capable of traveling up to 6,000 kilometers, weapons experts say,
meaning it could strike U.S. territory, including Alaska and the west coast.
North Korea test-fired a Taepodong-2 missile in 2006 -- the same year it tested a
nuclear bomb -- but the missile crashed shortly after take-off, according to
outside assessments.
South Korean officials said Tuesday they were unsure whether the North would go
ahead with the actual launch, but added it would take only a month or two for the
North to complete the preparation.
"We're watching it," Lt. Gen. Joseph Fil Jr., the second-highest U.S. commander
here, said after a meeting with South Korean defense ministry officials in Seoul.
"We don't know what they are going to do."
"The missile is primarily aimed at escalating tension on the peninsula," Kim
Keun-sik, a professor at the University of North Korea Studies, said. "The North
is trying to show that a rise in tension will do the South no good."
The ties between the Koreas degraded to one of their lowest levels in decades
after South Korean President Lee Myung-bak took office early last year with a
pledge to get tougher on the North.
Suggesting a departure from his liberal predecessor, Roh Moo-hyun, Lee maintained
that his rapproachment policy would depend on North Korea's willingness to
discard its nuclear weapons programs.
Accusing Lee of attempting to topple its regime, Pyongyang has cut off all
dialogue instead. It also declared all peace accords with the South "dead" and
warned of an armed clash in the Yellow Sea.
Lee said Friday he will wait it out until North Korea returns to dialogue.
"North Korea is agitated that South Korea continues to refuse to reverse its
stance," said Paik Hak-soon, a senior researcher at the independent think tank
Sejong Institute, warning the North could be compelled to further raise tension
if the South does not shift course.
The two countries remain divided over a heavily armed border after the 1950-53
Korean War ended without a formal peace pact.
Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert at Seoul's Dongguk University, suggested the
preparation for a missile launch is the latest North Korean gesture aimed at
drawing U.S. attention.
"It is making almost full use of its diplomatic cards," he said, adding the
actual test is unlikely because it would ruin Pyongyang-Washington ties even
before negotiations begin.
Six-nation disarmament talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programs remain
stalled as Pyongyang refuses to accept a U.S. proposal on methods to verify its
past nuclear activities.
Obama, who took office in mid-January, has indicated he would mix bilateral and
multilateral negotiations to resolve the stalemate, and observers say his
government has yet to formulate its North Korea policy fully.
Koh said North Korea might still be tempted to redeem itself for the 2006 missile
failure if talks falter with the U.S.
"It would mean the North is capable of delivering its nuclear weapons, even
biological and chemical arms, and that would boost North Korea's confidence," he
said.
A Taepodong-2 missile can carry a payload of up to 500 kilograms. The North
declared last month through a U.S. scholar it has "weaponized" 30.8 kilograms of
plutonium, enough to create several atomic bombs.
"North Korean leader Kim Jong-il wants a prompt and comprehensive deal that will
guarantee the survival of his regime," Ryoo Kihl-jae, an expert at the University
of North Korea Studies, said.
Ryoo said Kim's reported health problems might have to do with the recent series
of moves by North Korea. Kim, who turns 67 this month, is rumored to have
suffered a stroke last summer.
"Crying for candy when it's not ready won't help," said Kim Yeon-Chul, a North
Korea expert at Seoul's Korea University.
The six-nation talks include the two Koreas, the U.S., Japan, Russia and host China.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
