2006年VOA标准英语-Seoul Keeps Quiet on North Korean Missile

（单词翻译）

By Kurt Achin
Seoul
09 March 2006

A South Korean man walks by a display of models of North Korea's Scud-B missile, center, and other South Korean missiles at Korea War Memorial Museum in Seoul (File photo)   
  
South Korea is not commenting on North Korea's reported launch of two short-range missiles this week. South Korean media reports cite anonymous¹ officials who confirm the launch took place, but say it was part of ordinary drills.

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The South Korean government kept quiet Thursday about media reports of a North Korean missile launch this week.

South Korean media quote unnamed officials as saying North Korea launched two short-range missiles Wednesday morning local time near its border with China. It is not clear if the launch was a test or a mistake.

South Korea - which has a policy of engaging the communist North as a way to better relations - is hesitant to publicly criticize Pyongyang.

But the reports drew a quick response from Washington. U.S. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said the reported launches are a source of concern.

"North Korea's missile program and activities are a threat, not only to the region, but the international community at large," he said. "We are working with our friends and allies in the region on deployment² of active missile defenses."

North Korea test-fired a long-range missile over Japan in 1998 - alarming the international community. But Pyongyang has not conducted any medium- and long-range missile tests since. North Korea is also believed to be one of the world's largest exporters of missile technology.

In U.S. Senate testimony⁴ this week, the Commander of U.S. Forces in Korea, General Burwell Bell, warned North Korea has 200 mid-range missiles capable of reaching Japan. He said Pyongyang might have long-range missiles capable of reaching the continental⁵ U.S. within the decade.

The timing⁶ or purpose of this week's reported North Korean launch is not clear.

But Kim Tae-woo - an analyst⁷ at Seoul's Korea Institute for Defense³ Analyses - says it was probably just part of regularly scheduled short-range missile drills.

"Even North Koreans themselves will believe that [this] is a minor⁸ thing and nobody will think it serious," said Kim. "If North Korea tested a large-size [long range] missile, that could be interpreted differently."

Kim says he and his colleagues are more concerned about newly emerging reports that North Korea may be selling long-range missile technology to Iran - which is also embroiled⁹ in a dispute with the international community over its nuclear programs.

"That development could be really serious," added Kim. "That could prompt a response from the U.S. If that is true, it is a really serious development."

This week's reported launch comes within 24 hours of Pyongyang's latest announcement that it will not return to multinational¹⁰ talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programs. Three years of negotiations¹¹ have not produced any progress on the issue.

North Korea says it has nuclear weapons, but has never conducted a nuclear test. U.S. intelligence officials have expressed doubt Pyongyang has the technology to mount a nuclear device on a missile and fire it accurately¹². However, they fear North Korea may export nuclear and missile materials and technology to nations or groups hostile to the United States.