YONHAP NEWS

(LEAD) Nuke threat makes N. Korean missile more alarming: minister

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, Feb. 18 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top diplomat emphasized on Wednesday that North Korea's missile program poses a serious threat to international security due to its ability to launch a nuclear bomb.

Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan also said that Pyongyang would still face stern punitive measures from the United Nations even if it launches a satellite, and not a missile as feared.

"North Korea's missile is not a mere conventional weapon," Yu said at a meeting with foreign envoys here. "The combination of its long-range missile and nuclear capability will have a very serious impact to the world's peace and security."

   Recent satellite images have shown that North Korea appears to be preparing to launch a long-range missile from a base on its east coast, according to South Korean and U.S. intelligence officials.

   North Korea indirectly confirmed the move earlier this week by stating that it has a right to pursue "peaceful space activity," a term Pyongyang used in 1998 when it flew a rocket over Japan. At the time, the North said it was part of an effort to send its first satellite into orbit, while its neighbors labeled it a long-range missile launch.

   The minister said North Korea is expected to follow a similar pattern this time around, adding that whether it is a missile or a satellite, a rocket launch of any kind would still violate U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718 -- adopted in 2006 -- which prohibits Pyongyang from conducting a missile test.

   "It it hard to tell a missile from a satellite in terms of technology," Yu said.

   The minister also urged Pyongyang to return to the six-way talks on its atomic weapons program and agree on proposed ways to inspect its nuclear sites.

   North Korea has balked at a proposal put forth by its dialogue partners -- South Korea, the U.S., China, Russia, and Japan -- to use sampling and other scientific measures to verify its nuclear declaration, leaving the denuclearization process at a stalemate.

   "The North's refusal means it has no will to denuclearize itself," Yu said, adding the issues will be high on the agenda in his talks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Friday in Seoul.

   On Seoul's efforts to bolster ties with other nations, the minister said President Lee Myung-bak is considering visiting the Czech Republic in the first half of this year for his first summit with the European Union. The Czech Republic currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

   If not, the president could travel to Sweden around July, which takes over the EU presidency in the latter half of 2009.

   Yu added that South Korea plans to complete protracted negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU by the end of March.

   "South Korea will also begin FTA talks with Peru and Columbia next month," he said.

   lcd@yna.co.kr
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