China concern at NK launch
Print Edition
Responding to reports of a North Korea artillery launch minutes before a Chinese passenger plane crossed the same area, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said yesterday that the “relevant country” should follow international practice to ensure safety in the air and at sea.
The China Southern Airlines plane with 202 people on board was flying from Tokyo to Shenyang, capital of northeast China’s Liaoning Province, on Tuesday.
Qin said no specific matters related to China’s civil aviation safety were reported, but added: “We will check the situation with relevant parties and express our concern which is necessary.”
Qin told a regular press briefing: “I want to stress here that we attach great importance to the security of China’s civilian flights.
“If any country is to hold training or exercises, it should take measures in accordance with international practice to ensure the safety of civil facilities in relevant airspace and maritime space.”
Qin called for restraint to prevent any escalation and to preserve peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said yesterday Pyongyang’s failure to notify international aviation authorities of its launch plans in the area was a “serious threat.”
Kim said the plane was flying at an altitude of 10 kilometers, while the projectile’s peak altitude was 20 kilometers. He said the flight passed through the area about five minutes after the projectile hit the water.
A North Korean army spokesman said on Wednesday that rocket drills from February 21 until Tuesday were part of regular training. He said neither regional security nor international navigation was in danger because of “scrupulous advance security measures for flight orbit and targets in the designated waters.”
South Korean officials said Tuesday’s launch and others that included Scud missiles were protests of ongoing US-South Korean military drills Pyongyang considers invasion preparation. Washington and Seoul say the drills are defensive and meant to deter North Korean aggression.
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