Activity spotted at North Korea's missile site
Pastor Dale Morgan
Sunday September 3, 2:21 PM
*Activity spotted at North Korea's missile site*
Vehicle movements have been spotted at North Korea's key missile base
but there is no indication the communist state is preparing for another
missile test, a senior defense official said.
Intelligence authorities detected the movements in and around
Gitdaeryeong on the southeast coast where six ballistic missiles were
test-fired two months ago, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"Trucks, which were brought in for the test-firing of missiles in July,
still stay there and move around," he told AFP, playing down a news
report linking the activity to possible preparations for new tests.
"No new vehicles have been brought in there. We don't take it as an
indication that North Korea is preparing for more missile tests."
Yonhap news agency earlier said the movements spotted by military
intelligence officials at Gitdaeryeong could presage more missile tests.
North Korea test-launched seven missiles -- including six short- and
medium-range missiles from the Gitdaeryeong site -- into the Sea of
Japan (East Sea) on July 5, sparking international condemnation.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution imposing
missile-related sanctions on North Korea, but Pyongyang immediately
rejected it and threatened stronger action.
South Korean officials have expressed concern about the possibility of
further missile tests or an underground nuclear test.
Pyongyang said in February 2005 that it had built nuclear weapons but
there have been no reports of any nuclear test.
The United States successfully tested its missile defense system,
designed partially to guard against any North Korean missile attacks,
over the Pacific on Friday.
North Korea on Saturday accused the United States of threatening war by
carrying out the test and by conducting joint military exercises with
the South.