U.S. Readies System For Missile Detection

The U.S. military yesterday moved ships into position off the coast of North Korea to detect the launch of any long-range ballistic missiles and prepared its new, unproven missile-interception system to attempt a response if necessary.

It was apparently the first time that the U.S. government has readied its rudimentary missile-defense system other than to test it. But officials played down the possibility that the interceptors might be used against a North Korean missile, and the South Korean government expressed doubt that Pyongyang is even preparing a test launch of its first intercontinental missile. It suggested that the government of Kim Jong Il might only be preparing to send a satellite into space.

Han Song Ryol, North Korea's deputy chief of mission at the United Nations, said that Pyongyang has a right to develop and test missiles, but that it would like to ease tensions over the situation through talks, the Yonhap news agency quoted him as saying. "We know that the U.S. is concerned about our missile test launch," the news services quoted Han as having said in a telephone conversation with Yonhap. "Our position is to solve this situation through discussions."

Read more