6 of 7 N.Korean Missile Tests Successful
Pastor Dale Morgan
6 of 7 N.Korean Missile Tests Successful*
By MARI YAMAGUCHI
The Associated Press
Sunday, August 6, 2006; 3:36 AM
TOKYO -- An analysis by Japan and the United States has concluded that
six of the seven missiles tested by North Korea last month fell within
their targets, a major Japanese newspaper reported Sunday.
Only a newly developed long-range missile, Taepodong-2, is believed to
have failed, the Yomiuri newspaper said, citing unidentified Japanese
officials.
Based on initial data from U.S. military early warning satellites,
Japan's Defense Agency had doubted the targeting accuracy of the
missiles, but later discovered that the six medium-range missiles
actually fell inside the sea zone North Korea had marked beforehand, the
newspaper said.
North Korea's July 5 missile tests drew strong international
condemnation, prompting the U.N. Security Council to adopt a statement
denouncing the launches and banning countries from missile-related
dealings with the North.
Although the Taepodong-2, believed to be capable of reaching parts of
the United States, crashed shortly after being launched, the accuracy of
the other missiles was relatively high, the newspaper quoted the
officials as saying.
The U.S. and Japanese analysis, based on data collected by radar on
Aegis-equipped warships and other intelligence sources, found that the
six missiles traveled 185-250 miles northeast from the Kitaeryong
missile base on North Korea's southeastern coast and landed inside a
designated zone within a radius of about 30 miles, the Yomiuri said.
North Korea set a restricted area _ a triangle about 100 miles on each
side _ in the Sea of Japan off the North Korean coast between July 4 and 11.
Defense Agency officials could not immediately be reached for comment
Sunday.
Japan's Defense Agency had planned to release the analysis in early
August, but that date will be delayed to allow for further discussions
with the United States, the Yomiuri said.
North Korea has said it has the right to test missiles and vowed further
tests. But Friday, a South Korean official said North Korea may have
removed a long-range missile from a launch site, lowering the
possibility of further tests.
Intelligence reports indicated earlier that North Korea may have moved
two Taepodong-2 missiles to the launch site before test-firing one in July.