S.Korea warns DPRK against missile test plan

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-13-2009 09:36

The Republic of Korea has warned the Democratic People's Republic of Korea against test-launching a long-range missile.

The ROK's foreign minister Yu Myung-hwan says such an action would threaten regional stability and trigger punitive measures.

The ROK's foreign minister Yu Myung-hwan says such an action would threaten regional stability and trigger punitive measures. (CCTV.com)

The Republic of Korean and Japanese media have reported since last week that the DPRK is moving a suspected long-range missile, capable of reaching the western United States, to a launch pad.

The reports came days after Pyongyang declared it would scrap peace accords with Seoul and warned of a war on the divided peninsula.

Yu Myung-hwan, S. Korean Foreign Minister, said, "If the DPRK pushes ahead with a test missile launch, this will be an act that seriously threatens stability on the Korean peninsula and in Northeast Asia, as well as South-North ties."

Yu said he could not provide details of the DPRK's alleged plan to test a missile because it involved military intelligence.

The minister said such a test launch would isolate the DPRK and trigger punitive measures.

Yu said considering the various sanctions the DPRK would suffer if it fired a missile, it is never going to benefit the DPRK.

Meanwhile, the ROK's new Unification Minister Hyun In-taek said he is willing to meet DPRK officials at any time, at any place to resolve strained ties.