South Korea Says DPRK Launches Missile

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 25, 2003

South Korea Says DPRK Launches Missile

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a missile into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan on Monday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday.

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched a missile into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan on Monday, South Korea's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

However, a defense ministry official said they have no further information about the type of the missile and launching location.

"The only information we have is that a missile was fired from an unknown location in North Korea into the East Sea (Sea of Japan)," the official said.

"We are trying to determine whether it was designed to test a new missile or just part of an exercise by North Korea troops," he said.

South Korean authorities were investigating whether the land-to-sea missile is a test of a new missile.

DPRK spokesman unable to confirm missile launch

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) cannot confirm a missile launch alleged by South Korea, a DPRK foreign ministry spokesman told Xinhua on Tuesday.

The spokesman, who asked not to be identified, said he had not heard of such news so far.

Earlier, South Korea's Defense Ministry said the DPRK launched a missile into the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan on Monday.

However, the ministry said it had no further information about the type of missile and the launch location.

"The only information we have is that a missile was fired from an unknown location in North Korea into the East Sea (Sea of Japan)," a South Korean Defense Ministry official said.

South Korean authorities were investigating whether the land-to-sea missile was a new type and under test, he added.

The reported missile launch took place as Roh Moo-hyun was about to be sworn in as South Korea's president on Tuesday.

Japan to analyze alleged DRPK missile launch

The Japanese government is making all efforts Tuesday to analyze the intention of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) in firing a missile into the Sea of Japan Monday, Kyodo News reported.

"There is no information that a ballistic missile was fired," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda was quoted.

He said that Japan will analyze whatever background there is behind it.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said the action would not violate the joint declaration signed by the Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and DPRK leader Kim Jong Il last September if the missile is ground-to-ship as reported.

"The declaration refers to ballistic missiles," she said.

The declaration says the freezing of missile-launching tests byDPRK will continue from this year.

The Japanese government is considering sending inquiries and protests to DPRK and requesting the termination of missile launches if the facts are confirmed, Kyodo said, quoting government officials.

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