Official hints at launching nuclear-tipped missile

A North Korean official has warned that the communist nation could fire a nuclear-tipped missile unless the US acts to resolve its stand-off with Pyongyang, Yonhap news agency reported today.

“We hope the situation will be resolved before an unfortunate incident of us firing a nuclear missile comes,” the unnamed official said , according to a Yonhap report from Beijing. “That depends on how the US will act.”

Yonhap didn’t say how or where it contacted the official, why no name was given or why it delayed reporting until today.

“The nuclear test is an expression of our intention to face the United States across the negotiating table,” the official said. “What we want is security of the (North), including guaranteeing our system.”

The official also dismissed moves at the UN Security Council to sanction the impoverished nation over its reported nuclear test.

“We have lost enough. Sanctions can never be a solution,” the official said. “We still have a willingness to give up nuclear weapons and return to six-party talks as well. It’s possible whenever the US takes corresponding measures.”

The official didn’t elaborate on what the corresponding measures would be. But one of them is believed to be a long-standing North Korean demand that Washington lift financial restrictions imposed on the communist regime for its alleged counterfeiting and money laundering.

North Korea has cited the financial issue in boycotting nuclear disarmament talks with China, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the United States. The talks last convened in November.

Washington has said the issue is unrelated to the nuclear talks, urging the North to return to the dialogue table without conditions.

Pyongyang declared yesterday that it successfully tested a nuclear bomb.

South Korea’s defence minister today said there were no signs of additional nuclear tests by North Korea.

“We haven’t found any direct signs of additional tests at suspected areas,” Yoon Kwang-ung told parliament.

However, he said that didn’t rule out the possibility of another test, following the North’s claim yesterday to have launched its first nuclear detonation.