Report: NKorean launches maybe included new Scud
July 6, 2009 (AFP)
SEOUL, South Korea – A barrage of ballistic missiles that North Korea
test-fired over the weekend may have included a new type of Scud missile with
an extended range and improved accuracy that poses a threat to Japan, a South
Korean newspaper reported Monday.
Pyongyang launched seven missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday in a
show of force that defied U.N. resolutions and drew international condemnation.
On Monday, South Korea's mass-circulation Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported the
launches were believed to have included three Scud-ER missiles with a range of
up to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers).
The paper said the Scud-ER has a longer range and better accuracy compared with
previous Scud series so is "particularly a threat to Japan."
Tokyo is about 720 miles (1,160 kilometers) from the base on North Korea's east
coast from where the missiles were fired. Some other parts of Japan are closer,
well within the range of a Scud-ER.
Scuds are single stage, liquid-fueled missiles, originally developed in the
former Soviet Union, and generally known for poor accuracy. Ballistic missile
programs in Pakistan and Iran were built on Scud technology.
The Chosun Ilbo, citing a government source it did not name, said the other
four missiles were two Scud-C missiles with a range of 310 miles (500
kilometers) and two medium-range Rodong missiles that can travel up to 810
miles (1,300 kilometers).
Five of the seven missiles flew about 260 miles (420 kilometers) from an
eastern coastal launch site and landed in one area, meaning their accuracy has
improved, the paper said.
South Korea's Defense Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said Monday that the North
demonstrated improved missile accuracy in the latest tests because they all
landed in the same area.
He declined to confirm details of the Chosun Ilbo report.
Another ministry official told The Associated Press on Sunday that the missiles
appeared to have traveled about 250 miles (400 kilometers), meaning that key
government and military facilities in South Korea were within range. The
official spoke on condition of anonymity citing department policy.
North Korea has long-range missiles as well. The Taepodong-2 has a potential
range of more than 4,100 miles (6,700 kilometers), putting Alaska within
striking distance.
The country is believed to be developing a missile with an even longer range
that could potentially put the U.S. west coast, Hawaii, Australia and eastern
Europe within striking distance.
The launches on July 4 — the U.S. Independence Day holiday — also appeared to
be a poke at Washington as it moves to enforce U.N. as well as its own
sanctions against the isolated regime for its May 25 nuclear test.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned they were
"very destabilizing, potentially."
North Korean state media have not specifically mentioned the launches but
boasted Sunday that the country's military could impose "merciless punishment"
on those who provoke it.
"Our revolutionary forces have grown up today as the strong army that can
impose merciless punishment against those who offend us," the North's main
Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary carried by the official Korean
Central News Agency.
The North has engaged in a series of acts this year widely seen as provocative.
It fired a long-range rocket it said was a satellite in early April, and in
late May it carried out its second underground nuclear test following the first
in late 2006.
The U.N. Security Council punished Pyongyang with tough sanctions centered on
clamping down on North Korea's alleged trading of banned arms and
weapons-related material.
The U.S. has been monitoring a North Korean freighter because of suspicions it
may be carrying illegal weapons, possibly to Myanmar. The ship, however, turned
around a week ago without stopping at any port and headed toward home.
Won, the Defense Ministry spokesman, said the Kang Nam 1 was expected to
arrived in the North later Monday.
Separately, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman pledged to
work with the U.S. to block North Korea from using the Southeast Asian nation's
banks for any weapons deals.
The assurance came as U.S. envoy Philip Goldberg, in charge of coordinating the
implementation of sanctions against Pyongyang, met with Malaysian officials in
Kuala Lumpur.
South Korean media have reported that North Korea sought payment through a bank
in Malaysia for a suspected shipment of weapons to Myanmar
