May 26, 2007
With the six-party nuclear talks on hold and the countries involved anxious for some sign of progress, North Korea fired a series of short range missiles into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) yesterday, according to South Korean officials.An official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the incident but said more time was needed to identify the exact type and number of missiles fired. “The short range firing is thought to be one of the North’s annual drills in the East Sea but for more concrete information additional monitoring is required,” the Joint Chiefs said in a release. Several military officials said they suspected the missile firing was in response to the launch yesterday of an Aegis class destroyer by South Korea. Pyongyang fired the missiles from a coastal area of South Hamgyong Province, the Kyodo News Agency reported. The National Intelligence Service said the firing is “believed to be part of the North’s usual military training.” Japan’s NTV network reported that the missiles were of a surface-to-ship variety and they traveled a distance of between 100 and 200 kilometers. The incident came a day after officials here said rice aid to the North was being suspended due to lack of progress on nuclear talks. A Foreign Ministry official downplayed the incident, saying that there have been no indications that Pyongyang is reneging on a February deal under which it pledged to shut down its main Yongbyon nuclear reactor. “There is the political will to make progress in the nuclear talks and that includes the North,” said the official. The six-party talks are stalled due to lack of progress in finding an acceptable way to return $25 million in North Korean funds previously frozen in a money laundering dispute with Washington. Despite the lack of progress, Pyongyang notified Seoul yesterday that it would participate in scheduled ministerial level talks next week. Seoul suspended its rice and fertilizer aid to the North following a missile salvo in July of last year that included a failed launch of the Taepodong 2 type intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching Japan or Guam. The missile was on display at a military parade last month.
by Brian Lee Staff Writerhttp://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/africanu@joongang.co.kr
With the six-party nuclear talks on hold and the countries involved anxious for some sign of progress, North Korea fired a series of short range missiles into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) yesterday, according to South Korean officials.An official with the Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the incident but said more time was needed to identify the exact type and number of missiles fired. “The short range firing is thought to be one of the North’s annual drills in the East Sea but for more concrete information additional monitoring is required,” the Joint Chiefs said in a release. Several military officials said they suspected the missile firing was in response to the launch yesterday of an Aegis class destroyer by South Korea. Pyongyang fired the missiles from a coastal area of South Hamgyong Province, the Kyodo News Agency reported. The National Intelligence Service said the firing is “believed to be part of the North’s usual military training.” Japan’s NTV network reported that the missiles were of a surface-to-ship variety and they traveled a distance of between 100 and 200 kilometers. The incident came a day after officials here said rice aid to the North was being suspended due to lack of progress on nuclear talks. A Foreign Ministry official downplayed the incident, saying that there have been no indications that Pyongyang is reneging on a February deal under which it pledged to shut down its main Yongbyon nuclear reactor. “There is the political will to make progress in the nuclear talks and that includes the North,” said the official. The six-party talks are stalled due to lack of progress in finding an acceptable way to return $25 million in North Korean funds previously frozen in a money laundering dispute with Washington. Despite the lack of progress, Pyongyang notified Seoul yesterday that it would participate in scheduled ministerial level talks next week. Seoul suspended its rice and fertilizer aid to the North following a missile salvo in July of last year that included a failed launch of the Taepodong 2 type intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching Japan or Guam. The missile was on display at a military parade last month.
by Brian Lee Staff Writerhttp://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/africanu@joongang.co.kr
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