ID :
64834
Tue, 06/09/2009 - 13:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/64834
The shortlink copeid
(2nd LD) N. Korea bans ships off east coast amid fears of missile launch
(ATTN: ADDS comment in para 5, situation at Musudan-ri in para 6; CORRECTS time in
para 2; RECASTS headline)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has banned ships from the waters off a
major portion of its east coast starting Tuesday, including a site where it fired
a long-range rocket on April 5, South Korean officials said.
The ban, effective between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 9 to 29 according to the
National Oceanographic Research Institute (NORI), starts at the mid-eastern port
of Yeongeodan and stretches 266 kilometers northeast along the coast of South
Hamgyeong Province.
Covering nearly 9,700 square kilometers, the ban ends near the Musudan-ri base
where the North launched a long-range rocket in April despite international
warnings.
North Korea imposed a similar ban last month when it tested a nuclear device in
its northeastern region and fired a series of short-range missiles off the east
coast.
"North Korea tends to impose such bans when it intends to test missiles," a NORI
official said, declining to be named. "North Korea appears to be making sure that
the international community is notified, a trend that was uncommon before this
year."
A South Korean defense official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity,
said no particular activity has been detected at the Musudan-ri launch site.
The ban did not include the waters off the southeastern county of Anbyon where
South Korean defense officials say the North may be preparing to test-fire
several medium-range missiles.
North Korea is also apparently preparing to test-fly a long-range ballistic
missile on its west coast, the officials say.
North Korea has vowed to resume its nuclear and missile testing since the U.N.
Security Council condemned its April 5 rocket launch, which only Pyongyang says
put a satellite in space. Other nations consider it to have been a failure.
South Korea and the U.S. say the rocket could be converted into a ballistic
missile capable of hitting the western U.S.
North Korea conducted its second nuclear test on May 25 following the first in
October 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
para 2; RECASTS headline)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has banned ships from the waters off a
major portion of its east coast starting Tuesday, including a site where it fired
a long-range rocket on April 5, South Korean officials said.
The ban, effective between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from June 9 to 29 according to the
National Oceanographic Research Institute (NORI), starts at the mid-eastern port
of Yeongeodan and stretches 266 kilometers northeast along the coast of South
Hamgyeong Province.
Covering nearly 9,700 square kilometers, the ban ends near the Musudan-ri base
where the North launched a long-range rocket in April despite international
warnings.
North Korea imposed a similar ban last month when it tested a nuclear device in
its northeastern region and fired a series of short-range missiles off the east
coast.
"North Korea tends to impose such bans when it intends to test missiles," a NORI
official said, declining to be named. "North Korea appears to be making sure that
the international community is notified, a trend that was uncommon before this
year."
A South Korean defense official, who spoke on customary condition of anonymity,
said no particular activity has been detected at the Musudan-ri launch site.
The ban did not include the waters off the southeastern county of Anbyon where
South Korean defense officials say the North may be preparing to test-fire
several medium-range missiles.
North Korea is also apparently preparing to test-fly a long-range ballistic
missile on its west coast, the officials say.
North Korea has vowed to resume its nuclear and missile testing since the U.N.
Security Council condemned its April 5 rocket launch, which only Pyongyang says
put a satellite in space. Other nations consider it to have been a failure.
South Korea and the U.S. say the rocket could be converted into a ballistic
missile capable of hitting the western U.S.
North Korea conducted its second nuclear test on May 25 following the first in
October 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
