- (AF) - North Korea, accused by the United States of being
a leading global proliferator of weapons of mass destruction, tested the
engine of a ballistic missile last month, a South Korean newspaper reported.
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- Engine testing was conducted successfully in early May
at North Korea's Musudan missile complex in North Hamgyong province, the
JoongAng newspaper said, citing diplomatic sources.
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- The experiment was aimed at developing Taepodong-2 missiles
with a range of up to 6,000 kilometers (3,600 miles), it said. Engine testing
is often the last step before an actual flight test of a missile.
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- "US intelligence agencies think that the size of
the combustion trace and the amount of liquid fuel used, hint that the
test is part of an experiment to develop the Taepodong-2 missile,"
a diplomat source was quoted as saying.
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- The source said the experiment may have been conducted
to increase its negotiating leverage with the United States.
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- Late last year, North Korea restored facilities for missile
engine testing destroyed by an explosion in December 2002.
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- The Taepodong-2 missiles use Chinese liquid fuel engines
as a first stage rocket and a Rodong missile as a second stage. US intelligence
measure the flame of North Korean rockets during engine combustion testing
to determine the capability and range.
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- Pyongyang stunned the world in August 1998 by test-launching
over Japan a Taepodong-1 missile with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers,
claiming it was a satellite launch.
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- Japanese news reports have said Tokyo and Washington
would from next year begin joint exercises simulating their response to
a missile attack on Japan.
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- From September, the US navy plans to deploy an Aegis
warship with anti-missile capabilities in the Sea of Japan, also known
as the East Sea.
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- North Korea has already deployed short-range Scuds and
Rodongs with a range of 1,300 kilometers, while actively developing longer-range
missiles. US intelligence reports say North Korea has developed ballistic
missiles with a range of up to 4,000 kilometers.
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- South Korea's defense ministry estimates North Korea
has about 600 Scuds and 100 Rodong missiles.
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- The cash-strapped country has refused to stop missile
exports, a major source of hard currency earnings.
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- Pyongyang sold 60 million dollars' worth of missiles
and parts to Iraq, Iran, Syria and Yemen in 2002, according to South Korean
defense data.
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