S. Korean official: North began deploying missiles

Associated Press | July 9 2004

SEOUL (AP) -- North Korea has begun making and deploying new intermediate-range ballistic missiles that could reach U.S. military targets in Okinawa, Japan and Guam, South Korea's Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Since last year, South Korean and Japanese news media, citing anonymous intelligence sources, have reported North Korea's development of a new missile with a 1,860-2,500-mile range.

Testifying before the parliament's National Defense Committee, South Korea's Defense Minister Cho Young-kil said Wednesday that those missiles already have been deployed.

Cho's comments were carried by domestic media yesterday and were confirmed by a ministry representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

''North Korea is continuing its missile development, engaging in such activities as engine tests,'' Cho was quoted as saying.

North Korea's vigorous missile development unsettles the region. The U.S. military in South Korea has begun deploying new Patriot missiles designed to intercept incoming missiles. Last year, Japan launched its first spy satellites in a multibillion dollar program aimed at monitoring North Korea's development of long-range missiles.

In May, Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo talked about the Patriot buildup and the Pentagon's responsibilities to the region, as did a spokesman for the U.S. military's Pacific Command.

"The Department of Defense must address the threat of missile proliferation in Northeast Asia as it has in other regions. The threat North Korea poses to Guam, Hawaii and Alaska justifies an increased military presence that may respond to any contingency that may arise," Bordallo said.

"As a matter of longstanding policy, we do not comment on intelligence matters or specific capability," Maj. Guillermo Canedo, spokesman for the Pacific Command, said. "There is no reason for immediate worry, but this is obviously a cause for future concern."