Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

Accuracy of DPRK missiles improves

By Zhang Haizhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-07-06 07:25

A mock scud missile (C) and South Korean missiles are displayed at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul July 4, 2009. [Agencies]

China appealed for calm and restraint Sunday, one day after the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired a series of mid-range missiles.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement: "China has noted the situation and hopes all sides show restraint and together maintain regional peace and stability."

Russia made a similar comment.

The DPRK launched seven ballistic missiles, the defense ministry of the Republic of Korea (ROK) said, in an act of defiance toward the United States on its Independence Day.

The ROK said the actions further stoked regional tensions already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test in May. "We are on high alert," Reuters quoted an ROK defense ministry source as saying.

The DPRK reportedly fired three mid-range Rodong missiles, which can hit all of the ROK and most of Japan. It also launched four Scud missiles, which can strike most of the ROK, Yonhap news agency said.

"Five of the seven missiles fell near the same spot in the East Sea (Sea of Japan), which indicates that their accuracy has improved," an anonymous ROK official told Yonhap. The officials said the missiles flew about 450 km and that it will take a few days to confirm what was fired. The Scuds and Rodongs are both ballistic missiles.

The DPRK has also fired several non-ballistic, short-range missiles since the May 25 nuclear test.

Related readings:  Chinese, Russian ministers discuss DPRK nuclear issue  ROK: DPRK fires 7 missiles off east coast  DPRK fires three short-range missiles off east coast  DPRK test-fires two scud missiles off eastern coast  DPRK may fire more missiles: Report  S Korea says to consider higher-level talks with DPRK  Obama: Door open for DPRK's return to talks  US: DPRK's missile launches 'not helpful'

The DPRK has more than 600 Scud-type missiles and 300 Rodong missiles, unnamed defense officials said, according to Reuters.

The latest launches were the biggest barrage of ballistic missiles Pyongyang has fired since it set off seven, including its longest-range Taepodong-2, in 2006 also around July 4.

The DPRK is trying to attract US attention by launching missiles on its Independence Day, said Shi Yuanhua, a researcher on Korea studies at Shanghai-based Fudan University.

"The DPRK's intention is very clear, as it has always been, hoping to hold direct talks with the US," Shi said.

He also said Saturday's launch was no surprise, because everyone knew the DPRK was capable of doing so.

"All sides were well-prepared, so (they are) a bit tired of Pyongyang's actions," he said.

Countries responded differently toward Saturday's launches.

Shortly after the missile launch, the ROK foreign ministry called it a "provocative action", since UN Security Council Resolutions have banned Pyongyong from shooting ballistic missiles.

The Japanese government lodged a protest against the DPRK through diplomatic channels in Beijing, Kyodo News said. Hours after the launch, US State Department spokesman Karl Duckworth called for the DPRK not to "aggravate tensions".

Shen Shishun, a researcher with the China Institute of International Studies, said the US, ROK and Japan were the most worried about nuclear proliferation.

Shi, of Fudan University, said it would be of more concern if the DPRK were to launch inter-continental missiles. International tensions would escalate if Pyongyang were to do so.

"The possibility, however, is not big in the short term," Shi said. "DPRK's economic situation prevents it from conducting unlimited missile launches."

But Liu Jiangyong, a researcher at Tsinghua University, said the DPRK might take more serious measures, such as "a third nuclear test" or "test-firing intercontinental missiles", according to public reports.