Monday, Jul. 06, 2009

S. Korea: N. Korea missiles can reach primary targets

SEOUL, South Korea -- The ballistic missiles that North Korea test-fired this weekend were likely capable of striking key government and military facilities in South Korea, a defense official said Sunday, amid growing concerns over Pyongyang's firepower.

North Korean state media did not mention the launches but boasted that the country's military could impose "merciless punishment" on those who provoke it.

Pyongyang launched seven missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday in a show of force that defied U.N. resolutions and drew international condemnation.

The missiles appear to have traveled about 250 miles, meaning they could have reached almost any point in South Korea, an official at the South Korean Defense Ministry said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

The official said the exact details of the launches were still under investigation.

The launches on July 4 appeared to be a poke at Washington as it moves to enforce U.N. as well as its own sanctions against the isolated regime for its May 25 nuclear test.

Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned they were "very destabilizing, potentially."

But Vice President Biden indicated the U.S. would not be baited by attacks on the day Americans celebrated independence. On ABC, he described the flurry of rockets as "attention-seeking behavior."

He added: "I don't want to give the attention."

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is concerned about the missile tests, which defied Security Council resolutions. He told reporters Sunday that North Korea's communist regime has closed all doors to communication and dialogue.

China's Deputy Foreign Minister He Yafei told journalists in Rome, ahead of this week's G-8 summit, his country is supporting U.N. Security Council actions.