'Saber-rattling' continues with 2 new launches

• Source: The Global Times
• [09:19 May 27 2009]
• Comments

By Qiu Wei

North Korea shrugged off international condemnations of its second nuclear test in three years by launching two more short-range missiles yesterday.

South Korean boys wearing masks listen yesterday to a government official explain the potential effects of a nuclear bomb blast over Seoul. North Korea test-fired two more missiles yesterday, escalating tension after its nuclear weapon test Monday drew condemnation across the globe. Photo: AFP
 

In defiance of a UN resolution condemning a rocket launch by the country in April, North Korea set off an underground nuclear explosion Monday and launched three short-range missiles.

A South Korean official interviewed by the local Yonhap news agency put it simply, saying, “The North is continuing its saber-rattling.”

The ongoing tactics of aggression sparked Chinese scholars yesterday to say Beijing will likely support any UN sanctions brought against North Korea, as the country has ignored China's safety concerns by proceeding with nuclear tests.

Hours after Pyongyang's nuclear test, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned it, a non-binding criticism expected to be followed by sanctions.

But the Chinese Foreign Ministry wouldn't go as far yesterday as to say whether the country would support the likely sanctions. Spokesman Ma Zhaoxu would only say that China hopes any council action will aid denuclearization efforts and help maintain stability.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday called her Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to ask for a “quick, unified response” from the world community according to AFP.

The nuclear test constituted a “clear violation” of UN Resolution 1718, Security Council President Vitaly Churkin of Russia said, referring to the text adopted in October 2006 after North Korea's first nuclear test.

Russia estimated the force of Monday's underground explosion at up to 20 kilotons – far more powerful than the previous one.

US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, told CNN television yesterday North Korea would “pay a price” if it continued to carry out nuclear and missile tests and that the council is working on “a strong resolution with teeth … that could take various different forms,” be they “economic levers” or others.

South Korea yesterday joined the Proliferation Security Initiative, a US-led drive to curb trade in weapons of mass destruction. South Korea had previously been simply an observer, for fear of offending its neighbor.

At a meeting in Hanoi yesterday morning, Asian and European foreign ministers also voiced their condemnation of the test. The meeting grouped officials from the European Union, as well as regional powers such as China, South Korea and Japan.

International negotiations aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear facilities started in 2003, with the participation of China, South Korea, Japan, the US and Russia. Yet almost six years of disarmament talks have not stopped Pyongyang's atomic ambitions.

North Korea yesterday launched one ground-to-air missile and one ground-to-ship missile into the sea off its east coast near the city of Hamhung, Yonhap reported.

Each missile had a range of 130 kilometers, but motives for the firings were unknown, the source said.

UN Resolution 1718 banned Pyongyang from conducting any future nuclear tests or missile launches.