ID :
48899
Wed, 03/04/2009 - 15:05
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/48899
The shortlink copeid
N. Korean missile launch not imminent: unification minister
SEOUL, March 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea's preparations for what it claims will be
a satellite launch continue apace, though an actual launch does not seem
imminent, Seoul's unification minister said Wednesday.
Hyun In-taek, a foreign policy expert who took office last month as Seoul's point
man on Pyongyang, also said South Korea takes "seriously" the North's continuing
criticism of President Lee Myung-bak and demanded Pyongyang stop its verbal
attacks.
"I don't think the launch is very imminent, but various preparations are
underway," Hyun said in his first meeting with the press.
A missile launch is only a "hypothetical situation," Hyun said, expressing
reservation about when it would be or whether Seoul will support international
sanctions against North Korea.
"Our government will make efforts to assure citizens of their safety," he said.
North Korea said last month that it is preparing to launch a communications
satellite into orbit, which South Korea and U.S. officials believe could actually
be a test of a long-range missile that in theory can reach the U.S. West Coast.
Pyongyang has not said when it will conduct the launch.
Hyun demanded North Korea stop unheeded denunciations of Lee. Pyongyang has
called Lee a "traitor" and rejected his latest offer of dialogue as "disgusting
sophism."
"Our government seriously views North Korean denunciations and demands North
Korea immediately suspend them. And we urge North Korea to come forward to the
dialogue table," Hyun said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
a satellite launch continue apace, though an actual launch does not seem
imminent, Seoul's unification minister said Wednesday.
Hyun In-taek, a foreign policy expert who took office last month as Seoul's point
man on Pyongyang, also said South Korea takes "seriously" the North's continuing
criticism of President Lee Myung-bak and demanded Pyongyang stop its verbal
attacks.
"I don't think the launch is very imminent, but various preparations are
underway," Hyun said in his first meeting with the press.
A missile launch is only a "hypothetical situation," Hyun said, expressing
reservation about when it would be or whether Seoul will support international
sanctions against North Korea.
"Our government will make efforts to assure citizens of their safety," he said.
North Korea said last month that it is preparing to launch a communications
satellite into orbit, which South Korea and U.S. officials believe could actually
be a test of a long-range missile that in theory can reach the U.S. West Coast.
Pyongyang has not said when it will conduct the launch.
Hyun demanded North Korea stop unheeded denunciations of Lee. Pyongyang has
called Lee a "traitor" and rejected his latest offer of dialogue as "disgusting
sophism."
"Our government seriously views North Korean denunciations and demands North
Korea immediately suspend them. And we urge North Korea to come forward to the
dialogue table," Hyun said.
hkim@yna.co.kr
(END)