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Japan Wary Of North Korean Missile Developments
Tokyo (AFP) May 9, 2000 - North Korea has likely deployed its first generation of ballistic missiles in combat-ready positions, while developing longer-range rockets, Japan warned Tuesday. The Stalinist country has 1.1 million soldiers and "it is highly possible that the country has deployed Rodong missiles," the Japanese foreign ministry said in its annual diplomacy report. North Korea "is also believed to be working to extend the striking range of missiles," it said. The Rodong missile has an estimated range of more than 1,000 kilometres (625 miles). Pyongyang stunned the world in August 1998 when it test-fired a suspected longer-range Taepodong I ballistic missile that flew over Japan. North Korea called it a satellite launch. The launch led Tokyo to take sanctions against Pyongyang, including a halt to rapprochement talks and a freeze on food aid to the hunger-stricken nation. Pyongyang froze its missile tests last September in return for the partial lifting of US economic sanctions. The freeze prompted the resumption of rapprochement talks between Washington and Pyongyang, which fought each other in the 1950-53 Korean War. Tokyo offered in March to resume food aid. Japan also held landmark talks with North Korea to establish diplomatic ties in early April. The two sides are to meet again in Tokyo later this month following the Pyongyang talks. "Many uncertain factors still prevail in North Korea," said the Japanese government report "There is believed to be no change in the situation that Korean Workers' Party of Korea General Secretary Kim Jong-Il has the overall grip of power in politics." "Food and economic conditions are still severe but rebel moves that could threaten the current regime have not been observed so far," it said. As for China, the report said Beijing was pushing a "realistic diplomacy" to secure good economic cooperation with Western nations as well as neighbouring countries. "Meanwhile, China is opposed to the possibility that the United States would hold a one-polar control over international orders after the end of Cold War. "China seems to consider the international community a multi-polar structure comprising the United States, Russia, Japan, the European Unions and others and think much of relations with these major nations," it said. Beijing "has a growing sense of caution as it regards the US-led handling of Kosovo by NATO, the Japanese enactment of bills on guidelines on Japan-US defence cooperation and other moves as signs of the 'US hegemony'," it said. Copyright 1999 AFP. All rights reserved. The material on this page is provided by AFP and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. CommunityEmail This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space
Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India. |
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