NK leader hails ‘eye-opening’ missile launch
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NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) test an “eye-opening success” yesterday, adding that Pyongyang has the ability to strike Seoul and the United States whenever it pleases.
Saturday’s launch came amid growing concerns that North Korea is preparing a fifth nuclear test.
But it was followed just hours later by an offer to impose a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing if the United States suspends annual military drills with South Korea.
The US and Britain denounced the test as a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and called on North Korea to refrain from further moves that could destabilise the region.
The KCNA news agency said the test, personally monitored by Kim, confirmed the reliability of North Korea’s underwater launching system. It also cited Kim as saying Pyongyang was now capable of “hitting the heads of the South Korean puppet forces and the US imperialists anytime as it pleases.”
Still images broadcast on TV showed Kim on the deck of the submarine before watching the test through binoculars from shore and meeting the crew and scientists afterwards.
“This eye-opening success constitutes one more precious gift the defense scientists and technicians are presenting to the great leaders and the party,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying.
South Korea’s defense ministry said the missile, fired from a submarine in the East Sea, flew around 30 kilometers and that the test showed “certain technological progress” in North Korea’s SLBM capability.
Spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun said: “It is believed that the North would be able to deploy the SLBM weapon within three to four years, or even sooner if it dedicates all its resources on the project.”
Pictures showed the missile emblazoned on it, soar out of the water and fly into the sky, leaving a massive plume of smoke above the sea surface. State TV also showed what it claimed were underwater images of the missile being ejected from the submarine, using key “cold launch” technology.
North Korea has been pushing to acquire an SLBM capability that would take its nuclear strike threat to a new level, allowing deployment far beyond the Korean Peninsula and the potential to retaliate in the event of a nuclear attack.
North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a rocket launch a month later.
In New York, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-Yong said Pyongyang would be willing to halt further tests if Washington announced an end to annual joint military exercises with Seoul.
South Korea dismissed the proposal and warned it would seek further sanctions for a test it called an “open provocation.”
“We strongly urge the North to stop making a ridiculous attempt to link our regular joint military drills, which are defensive in nature, with a nuclear test that is banned under UN Security Council resolution,” it said.
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