ID :
46317
Wed, 02/18/2009 - 23:14
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/46317
The shortlink copeid
Nuke threat makes N. Korean missile more alarming: minister
(ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES throughout with Clinton's comments on missile in paras
11-16)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's missile program poses a serious threat
to international security because of its potential link with Pyongyang's nuclear
ambitions, South Korea's top diplomat said Wednesday, as U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton hinted at addressing the missile concerns at six-way disarmament
talks.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan also said that Pyongyang would face stern punitive
measures imposed by the United Nations if it goes ahead with the launch, whether
of a satellite as the North claims, or of a missile as feared.
"North Korea's missile is not a mere conventional weapon," Yu said at a meeting
with foreign envoys here. "The combination of its long-range missile and nuclear
capability will have a very serious impact on the world's peace and security."
Recent satellite images have shown that North Korea appears to be preparing to
launch a long-range missile from a base on its east coast, according to South
Korean and U.S. intelligence officials.
North Korea indirectly confirmed the move earlier this week by stating that it
has a right to pursue "peaceful space activity," a term Pyongyang used in 1998
when it flew a rocket over Japan. At the time, the North said it was part of an
effort to send its first satellite into orbit, while its neighbors labeled it a
long-range missile launch.
The minister said North Korea is expected to follow a similar pattern this time
around, adding that whether it is a missile or a satellite, a rocket launch of
any kind would still violate U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 -- adopted in
2006 -- which prohibits Pyongyang from conducting a missile test.
"It it hard to tell a missile from a satellite in terms of technology," Yu said.
The minister also urged Pyongyang to return to the six-way talks on its atomic
weapons program and agree on proposed methods for inspection of its nuclear
sites.
North Korea balked at the latest proposal put forth by its dialogue partners --
South Korea, the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan -- to use sampling and other
scientific measures to verify its nuclear declaration, leaving the
denuclearization process at a stalemate.
"The North's refusal means it has no will to denuclearize itself," Yu said,
adding the issues will be high on the agenda in his talks with U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton on Friday in Seoul.
During an interview with a Japanese newspaper in Tokyo, Clinton suggested a
comprehensive solution to the North Korean nuclear and missile issues.
"We have made it clear that we consider it (the missile program) both provocative
and unhelpful," she told the Yomiuri Shimbun. "The North Koreans, as you know,
have said that it is a space launch, but they have not complied with the rules
that govern notification about space launches that have been agreed to by the
international community."
Asked whether the missile issue would be part of future six-party talks, she said
yes. "It has been on the edges of the six-party talks. But it is part of our
overall concern with the North Koreans."
The Beijing-based negotiations, launched in 2003, have focused on
denuclearization, though Japan has called for a more comprehensive approach
covering missile and human rights issues as well as the nuclear concern.
South Korean officials expressed caution over Clinton's suggestion.
"South Korea and the U.S. have not yet discussed adding the missile issue to the
agenda items for the six-way talks," a foreign ministry official said, asking not
to be named. He said the matter could be up for discussion during the Yu-Clinton
meeting.
On Seoul's efforts to bolster ties with other nations, the minister said
President Lee Myung-bak is considering visiting the Czech Republic in the first
half of this year for his first summit with the European Union. The Czech
Republic currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
The president may instead opt to travel to Sweden around July, which takes over
the EU presidency in the latter half of 2009.
Yu added that South Korea plans to complete protracted negotiations on a free
trade agreement (FTA) with the EU by the end of March.
"South Korea will also begin FTA talks with Peru and Columbia next month," he said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
11-16)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's missile program poses a serious threat
to international security because of its potential link with Pyongyang's nuclear
ambitions, South Korea's top diplomat said Wednesday, as U.S. Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton hinted at addressing the missile concerns at six-way disarmament
talks.
Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan also said that Pyongyang would face stern punitive
measures imposed by the United Nations if it goes ahead with the launch, whether
of a satellite as the North claims, or of a missile as feared.
"North Korea's missile is not a mere conventional weapon," Yu said at a meeting
with foreign envoys here. "The combination of its long-range missile and nuclear
capability will have a very serious impact on the world's peace and security."
Recent satellite images have shown that North Korea appears to be preparing to
launch a long-range missile from a base on its east coast, according to South
Korean and U.S. intelligence officials.
North Korea indirectly confirmed the move earlier this week by stating that it
has a right to pursue "peaceful space activity," a term Pyongyang used in 1998
when it flew a rocket over Japan. At the time, the North said it was part of an
effort to send its first satellite into orbit, while its neighbors labeled it a
long-range missile launch.
The minister said North Korea is expected to follow a similar pattern this time
around, adding that whether it is a missile or a satellite, a rocket launch of
any kind would still violate U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 -- adopted in
2006 -- which prohibits Pyongyang from conducting a missile test.
"It it hard to tell a missile from a satellite in terms of technology," Yu said.
The minister also urged Pyongyang to return to the six-way talks on its atomic
weapons program and agree on proposed methods for inspection of its nuclear
sites.
North Korea balked at the latest proposal put forth by its dialogue partners --
South Korea, the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan -- to use sampling and other
scientific measures to verify its nuclear declaration, leaving the
denuclearization process at a stalemate.
"The North's refusal means it has no will to denuclearize itself," Yu said,
adding the issues will be high on the agenda in his talks with U.S. Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton on Friday in Seoul.
During an interview with a Japanese newspaper in Tokyo, Clinton suggested a
comprehensive solution to the North Korean nuclear and missile issues.
"We have made it clear that we consider it (the missile program) both provocative
and unhelpful," she told the Yomiuri Shimbun. "The North Koreans, as you know,
have said that it is a space launch, but they have not complied with the rules
that govern notification about space launches that have been agreed to by the
international community."
Asked whether the missile issue would be part of future six-party talks, she said
yes. "It has been on the edges of the six-party talks. But it is part of our
overall concern with the North Koreans."
The Beijing-based negotiations, launched in 2003, have focused on
denuclearization, though Japan has called for a more comprehensive approach
covering missile and human rights issues as well as the nuclear concern.
South Korean officials expressed caution over Clinton's suggestion.
"South Korea and the U.S. have not yet discussed adding the missile issue to the
agenda items for the six-way talks," a foreign ministry official said, asking not
to be named. He said the matter could be up for discussion during the Yu-Clinton
meeting.
On Seoul's efforts to bolster ties with other nations, the minister said
President Lee Myung-bak is considering visiting the Czech Republic in the first
half of this year for his first summit with the European Union. The Czech
Republic currently holds the rotating EU presidency.
The president may instead opt to travel to Sweden around July, which takes over
the EU presidency in the latter half of 2009.
Yu added that South Korea plans to complete protracted negotiations on a free
trade agreement (FTA) with the EU by the end of March.
"South Korea will also begin FTA talks with Peru and Columbia next month," he said.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)
