N Korea 'lacks nuke missiles'

2005-02-15 20:45

Dora Observation Post, South Korea - South Korean intelligence officials said on Tuesday that while North Korea may have manufactured nuclear bombs as claimed, it lacked the technology to deliver them by missile.

The state intelligence service, however, said the communist state might still be capable of striking targets by placing the bombs on aircraft.

The intelligence officials also said there was little possibility that the North had exported its nuclear technology abroad.

That counters recent claims by US officials who said there was strong evidence that North Korea had sold processed uranium to Libya.

North Korea announced last Thursday that it had nuclear weapons and was boycotting disarmament talks, escalating its nuclear standoff with the United States and its allies.

Since the revelation, the United States, South Korea and China - the North's last major ally - have renewed diplomatic efforts to persuade Pyongyang to return to six-nation talks.

The talks are aimed at getting the North to give up nuclear weapons development in return for economic benefits.

Washington and other governments say they believe North Korea has one or two atomic weapons. But, says South Korea, the North is using the threat of atomic bombs as a bargaining chip.

- AP