Diplomatic drive on to stop North Korean missile test
Opponents of a possible North Korean long-range missile test stepped up a diplomatic drive to stop the launch today, issuing a barrage of warnings to the reclusive nation and threatening retaliation if it went ahead.
North Korea has taken apparent moves toward test-firing a missile believed capable of reaching the US, putting the region on alert. Pyongyang was silent on the launch, but vowed to bolster its military deterrent, in comments carried through its state news agency.
The chances of a launch were unclear, in part because of the weather at the missile site today.
There were cloudy skies and chances of showers in the area, with fog along the coast, said Kim Duck-wan, an official at the South’s Korea Meteorological Administration.
Japan, the United States, Australia and News Zealand all cautioned the impoverished country that a test of a Taepodong-2 missile would bring serious consequences and further isolate the regime.
Japan, which is well within range of North Korean missiles, has taken a lead in calling for a halt to preparations. North Korea fired a missile over northern Japan in 1998, stoking fears in Tokyo.
“We will take stern measures if North Korea launches the missile,” said chief cabinet secretary Shinzo Abe. Japan has cited economic sanctions and an appeal to the UN Security Council as possible retaliatory steps.
Japan has warned North Korea against a launch through diplomatic channels, but there has been no response, Abe said, adding that China and South Korea could get more involved in the chorus to urge Pyongyang to stop the test.
“It is important for countries involved to cooperate in restraining North Korea from launching the missile,” Abe said, without specifying any countries.
Later, however, he added: “I believe China and South Korea are considering urging North Korea to restrain from launching the missile.”
Australia, a firm US ally, also joined the effort. Foreign minister Alexander Downer said he sent a message to North Korea’s ambassador to Canberra, Chon Jae-Hong, “to warn him against a long-range missile test and to explain the serious consequences that would follow such a firing”.
In addition, New Zealand’s new envoy to North Korea, Jane Coombs, will state her country’s opposition to the North test-firing a ballistic missile when she meets officials in Pyongyang later this week, foreign minister Winston Peters said today.
A test launch of what is believed to be a Taepodong-2 missile would inflame a region already tense over the North’s continuing nuclear weapons programme. Six-party talks over the nuclear programme have been stalled for months.
The activity in North Korea came as the United States today began a major set of exercises off the Pacific island of Guam. The five-day manoeuvres, called “Valiant Shield,” involve 30 ships – including three aircraft carriers - 22,000 troops and 280 aircraft.
The North claims it has nuclear weapons, but it is not believed to have a design that would be small and light enough to top a missile.
Pyongyang imposed a moratorium on testing long-range missiles in 1999, and White House spokesman Tony Snow yesterday said the United States expected the North to abide by that freeze.
Japanese and South Korea news reports yesterday reported that North Korea had assembled the missile on a launch site, with US and other officials saying Pyongyang may have begun fuelling the missile.
The Taepodong-2 is the North’s most advanced missile and is believed to be capable of reaching parts of the United States with a light payload.
Today, the North has remained silent on a potential test, but kept up its standard anti-US propaganda, accusing Washington of “evil schemes” to block its military in commentary in the North's main newspaper, Rodong Sinmun.
“We should crush the US imperialists’ anti-communist policy … and clearly show (North Korea’s) spirit of victory and teach them a lesson,” the paper wrote, according to the country’s official Korean Central News Agency.
Yesterday, North Korean officials talked about increasing the country’s “military deterrent”, KCNA reported. The term is considered a metaphor for the country’s nuclear weapons programme.
Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi today said Tokyo would consult with the United States and respond sternly to a long-range missile test by North Korea.
Koizumi, in a nationally televised speech, refused to offer any details of what steps Japan would take if North Korea went ahead with the launch.
The Japanese leader, who has visited North Korea twice, urged Pyongyang to act “rationally and calmly” in considering whether to proceed with any test.
