U.S. ready to intercept N. Korean missile flying to U.S.: Gates

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By Hwang Doo-hyong
WASHINGTON, June 18 (Yonhap) -- The United States is ready to intercept any North
Korean ballistic missiles coming toward Hawaii or any other part of the U.S.,
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Thursday.

"I've directed the deployment again of THAAD missiles to Hawaii," Gates told a
Pentagon press briefing. "And the SBX Radar has deployed, away from Hawaii, to
provide support. Based on my visit to Fort Greely (Alaska), the ground-based
interceptors are clearly in a position to take action."
The theater high-altitude area defense (THAAD) system was designed to destroy
ballistic missiles in their terminal phase, or just seconds before they explode
over U.S. cities or military assets. The Sea-based X-Band (SBX) Radar is an
ocean-going platform to track missiles.
To divert resources to economic revival, the Obama administration last month cut
back the budget that would have increased the number of interceptors to 44 from
30, saying 30 interceptors are enough to counter North Korea's missile capability
"for some years to come."
Gates was responding to the reports that North Korea is preparing for a ballistic
missile launch in defiance of U.N. resolutions banning the reclusive communist
state from testing any further nuclear and ballistic missile tests.
"We're obviously watching the situation in the North, with respect to missile
launches, very closely. And we do have some concerns, if they were to launch a
missile to the west, in the direction of Hawaii," he said. "So without
telegraphing what we will do, I would just say, I think we are in a good
position, should it become necessary to protect American territory."
In a separate news briefing, Philip Crowley, assistant secretary of state for
public affairs, called on North Korea to halt its provocations, warning of
possible further sanctions.
Crowley said he was not sure if Pyongyang will launch another long-range missile
soon, but added, "I think all we would know at this point is if the North Koreans
fire off another missile, it will be a mistake."
The spokesman did not rule out another launch.
"At some point they might in fact do something intentionally or unintentionally
that sparks a larger crisis," he said, noting that's "why we have repeatedly
condemned, you know, the actions that they've taken as being irresponsible,
provocative, but also dangerous."
Crowley said the State Department has been reviewing the viability of relisting
North Korea as a state sponsor of terrorism.
"It is something that is available to us," he said. "Obviously, there are
specific criteria that would be required for us to do that."
Pyongyang was put on the list in 1988, soon after North Korean agents blasted a
Korean Air plane over Myanmar, killing all 115 passengers.
The Bush administration delisted the North in October to facilitate the North's
denuclearization, as Pyongyang agreed verbally to a protocol for verification of
its past and current nuclear activity as part of the disabling process of its
nuclear facilities under a six-nation nuclear deal.
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, meanwhile, urged North
Korea to comply with the resolution adopted by the U.N. Security Council after
the North's nuclear test on May 25.
"We expect compliance," Mullen told the joint news briefing with Gates. "And the
North taking steps to further isolate itself, to further non-comply with
international guidance and regulations, in the long-run puts them in a more
difficult position."
The admiral said the U.S. was determined to "vigorously enforce the United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1874" in searching North Korean vessels
suspected of carrying weapons or parts banned under the resolution.
He, however, discussed the limitations of the resolution in forced inspections in
international waters.
"But the United Nations Security Council resolution does not include an option
for an opposed boarding or a noncompliant boarding with respect to that," he
said. "And if we get to that point with a vessel that we suspect has material
which is counter to -- unauthorized in accordance with UNSCR, that's a report
that goes back to the United Nations as well."
The resolution calls on member states to escort any suspicious North Korean cargo
ships to nearby ports for mandatory inspections in case the ships resist
inspections on the high seas.
However, it is implemented under Chapter VII, Article 41 of the U.N. Charter,
which excludes the use of force, thereby lacking the authority for mandatory
enforcement, just as in the case of Resolution 1718 and others adopted after
North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests in the past that have largely
been disregarded by China.
China, North Korea's staunchest communist ally, has demanded any inspections be
made within the framework of existing international law, which prohibits cargo
interdictions in international waters unless approved by the country of the flag
carried by the vessel.
hdh@yna.co.kr
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