More Coming Next Few Days!
Seoul - North Korea could be firing a lot more missiles to show off a bit, before upcoming talks about ending North Korea's nuke weapons program.
According to Yonhap news, quoting government sources.
Today (Tues. Oct. 13) a report says the North Koreans are preparing for ... [Read more..]
a real show of power by firing more missiles in the next 3 or 4 days, between Oct. 12 and 16th.
This is seen as an attempt to boost its bargaining position ahead of expected talks on ending its nuclear weapons program.
Analysts say the missiles serve as a reminder of the North's ability to rattle regional security, but were not enough to halt growing momentum for dialogue after the reclusive state announced it was willing to head back to the negotiating table.
"There have been indications that the North is getting ready to fire short-range missiles from the west coast," the source was quoted as saying.
North Korea has issued a warning for vessels to stay out of its coastal waters during daylight hours from October 12-16, Japan's coastguard said.
But less than a day after the North rattled the region with its first missile launch in about three months, it also agreed to hold talks with the South on inter-Korean issues, indicating it had not shut the door to dialogue.
The missile reports helped send shares down in early trading in Seoul with investors saying concerns about security weighed on sentiment.
China, the closest the North can claim as a major ally, sees the launch as having little impact on efforts to resume now dormant six-country nuclear talks hosted by Beijing.
"I believe this won't affect the trend toward easing (tension) on the Korean peninsula," a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama expressed greater concern, saying of the launch: "If it is true, then it is very regrettable."
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speaking on Monday, said Washington would continue its efforts to end nuclear weapons on the peninsula.
South Korean officials played down the launches, saying these were often part of routine military drills.
"The missiles are identical to the ones that had been fired numerous times in the past, so we don't believe there will be problems on holding talks, which will go ahead," Unification Ministry spokesman Chun Hae-sung said.
TALKS WITH THE SOUTH
Analysts said the launches were less a security threat than an attempt to gain the upper hand in negotiations.
