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N Korea under fire over missiles
05/07/2006 08:22 - (SA)
Tokyo - North Korea on Wednesday test-launched six missiles including a long-range Taepodong-2 believed capable of reaching the United States, in a striking display of bravado that defied stern warnings from Washington and Tokyo, officials said.
The missiles apparently fell harmlessly into the Sea of Japan, and US officials said the long-range one failed shortly after it lifted off. But the audacious military exercise drew immediate, international condemnation.
The White House called it a "provocation" while Japan urged UN Security Council action and warned of economic sanctions against the impoverished, communist country.
South Korea meanwhile said the test launches would further deepen its neighbour's international isolation.
Long-range missile failed
Japanese defence agency chief Fukushiro Nukaga said intelligence reports indicated that six missiles had been fired, an assessment backed by Suh Choo-suk, senior secretary to the South Korean president on national security.
One of the missiles was believed to be a long-range Taepodong-2, but it failed after 35 seconds, US officials said.
Same time as Discovery lift-off
The test launches came as the United States celebrated its independence day holiday and launched the space shuttle Discovery from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is believed the North Korean missiles were launched within minutes of the Discovery lift-off.
In Tokyo, Japanese foreign minister Taro Aso called for the UN Security Council to be convened over the issue, while warning there is "very high possibility" it would level economic sanctions against North Korea.
Japan also is preparing to launch a protest with North Korea through channels in the Chinese capital, Aso added.
'Provocative act'
In Seoul, Suh Choo-suk, senior secretary to the South Korean president on national security, called the launch a "provocative act" that will deepen the communist regime's isolation. But he said Seoul was still figuring out how to react to the tests.
Suh also urged North Korea to return to the six-party talks on its nuclear disarmament. The talks have been stalled since last year over Pyongyang's insistence that Washington drop financial sanctions against it.
"We are urgently consulting with members of the Security Council," said John Bolton, the US ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas Schieffer, the US ambassador to Japan, called the launches "a provocative act," and the White House said Pyongyang had further alienated itself from the world community.
Long-range missile can reach US
Two US state department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the long-range missile was the Taepodong-2, North Korea's most advanced missile with a range of up to 15 000km.
Experts believe it could reach the United States with a light payload.
Stern warnings
The launch came after weeks of speculation that the North was preparing to test the Taepodong-2 from a site on its northeast coast. The preparations had generated stern warnings from the United States and Japan, which had threatened possible economic sanctions in response.
The missiles all landed hundreds of kilometres away from Japan and there were no reports of the missiles causing damage within Japanese territory.
- AP
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