North Korea Appears to Be Testing Missile that Could Hit US
Source: almanar.com.lb, 1-6-2009
South Korea, inflaming the American and West outrage against the North, reported that North Korea could test-fire a long-range missile this month designed to strike US territory, South Korean news reports said.
The North may also be gearing up for skirmishes with South Korea around their disputed sea border, the reports added.
Moreover, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said North Korea appears to be working on a long-range missile but it's not clear yet what they plan to do with it.
Gates also warned North Korea that if it threatens the United States and its Asian allies, Washington will promptly react, adding, "We will not stand idly by as North Korea builds the capability to wreak destruction on any target in the region or on us."
The secretary said the North is not considered to pose a direct military threat to the United States, so Washington has no plan to build up American troops in the region. He added, however, the communist country's actions are increasing the potential for an arms race in Asia.
Pyongyang sparked international condemnation last week with a nuclear test that put it closer to having a working atomic bomb, short-range missile tests and threats to attack the South. It also warned of further measures, if the United Nations tries to punish it.
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