North tested missile parts in Iran, Egypt, U.S. aide says

JoongAng Ilbo ^ | August 30, 2002 | Kim Min-seok

[TigerLikesRooster]

North tested missile parts in Iran, Egypt, U.S. aide says

by Kim Min-seok August 30, 2002

North Korea has tested core parts of ballistic missiles in Iran and Egypt, a senior official of the U.S. Department of State, who is visiting South Korea, said Friday.

"It has been confirmed that North Korea sent its missile technicians to Iran and Egypt to conduct experiments on core parts of the missile over several occasions," the official said.

Experiments were conducted on parts produced by North Korea alone and jointly with Iran and Egypt, the official said.

Most of the overseas experiments are thought to have failed, the official said, adding that the United States has solid evidence of the experiments.

Pyeongyang announced a voluntary moratorium on missile launches in 2001. Because of that, experiments within the North would be politically burdensome, the official said. Moreover, he said, its narrow territory makes testing difficult.

After the North test-launched a missile that fell into the water off Japan, international society voiced strong concern over Pyeongyang's missile threats.

The official added that the United Sates believes the North is capable of producing mid-range ballistic missiles with a target range of 5,000 kilometers. The United States is looking into whether North Korea can produce intercontinental ballistic missiles with a range of 8,000 kilometers.

[TigerLikesRooster]

This does not surprise me. While they are maneuvering for economic engagement, their missiles will be developed undetered. If they cannot do it on N. Korean soil, they will do it on foreign soil.

[MedicalMess]

Adds to the belief of an axis of evil.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Ping !!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Here is an interesting picture:

A POTENTIAL MISSILE ATTACK by "rogue" nations, such as North Korea, is a driving force behind current U.S. defense plans. In 1998 North Korea flight-tested its Taepo-dong 1 missile, which could presumably haul a 1,000-kilogram nuclear bomb about 2,500 kilometers. The same missile might carry a lighter biological or chemical warhead 4,100 kilometers - just shy of the two closest parts of the U.S. (The tip of Alaska's Aleutian Islands and the western end of the Hawaiian Islands lie about 4,500 kilometers away.) The untested Taep-dong 2 missile is thought to have a range of up to 6,000 kilometers. North Korea could also launch shorter-range missiles from ships-a tactic that would render the current U.S. defense plan worthless.

[Eternal_Bear]

Looks like the nations are choosing sides: Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Libya, Syria, sudan, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, China, Russia. mexico, venezuela and the EU versus the US. That sounds like a fair fight to me.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[WWJD?]

Thanks for the ping.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thank you for the ping, Tiger. This administration isn't fooled by the VIP tours of the capitol city.