DATE=6/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233994
TITLE=KOREA/ MISSILES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: NORTH KOREA HAS REFUSED TO BACK AWAY FROM ITS
CONTROVERSIAL MISSILE PROGRAM. JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL
THAT NORTH KOREA SAYS IT WILL NOT BACK OFF ON MISSILE TESTING
UNTIL THE UNITED STATES DROPS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.
TEXT: NORTH KOREA PLEDGED TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING, TESTING AND
DEPLOYING MISSILES, CLAIMING U-S SANCTIONS HAVE FORCED IT TO RELY
ON MISSILE SALES TO EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE.
THE WARNING WAS DELIVERED BY THE NORTH'S OFFICIAL KOREAN CENTRAL
NEWS AGENCY. IT SAID THE MISSILE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE UNLESS
WASHINGTON LIFTS SANCTIONS AND COMPENSATES NORTH KOREA FOR LOSSES
CAUSED BY THE DISCONTINUATION OF MISSILE EXPORTS.
ANALYSTS SAY IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE COMMUNIST REGIME HAS
SPELLED OUT ITS INTENTIONS ON ITS MISSILE PROGRAM.
NORTH KOREA STARTED PRODUCING BALLISTIC MISSILES IN THE EARLY
1980'S, AND CAUSED ALARM ACROSS ASIA WHEN IT TEST FIRED A
MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILE INTO THE SEA OF JAPAN IN 1993, DEMONSTRATING
THAT JAPAN WAS WITHIN REACH OF ITS MISSILE ARSENAL.
NORTH KOREA HAS DENIED DEVELOPING NUCLEAR WEAPONS, BUT HAS
INSISTED IT IS ENTITLED TO PURSUE A MISSILE PROGRAM.
ALTHOUGH THE NORTH HAS NOT DISCLOSED WHICH NATIONS BUY ITS
MISSILES, PAKISTAN, SYRIA, IRAN AND IRAQ ARE WIDELY BELIEVED TO
BE CUSTOMERS.
THE TIMING OF THE K-C-N-A REPORT COINCIDES WITH PRESSURE ON
WASHINGTON FROM SOUTH KOREA TO EASE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON NORTH
KOREA.
THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS UNWILLING TO SCRAP ECONOMIC
SANCTIONS UNTIL NORTH KOREA'S LEADERS SHOW A WILLINGNESS TO DROP
THEIR WEAPONS EXPORTS AND GRANT MORE FREEDOM TO THEIR CITIZENS.
(SIGNED)
NEB/JL/GC/FC /MMK
16-Jun-98 7:51 AM EDT (1151 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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