Japan Claims Firing of N.K. Anti-Ship Missile

Japanese officials said that North Korea test-fired an anti-ship missile yesterday morning.

The Japanese Defense Agency said the missile was launched at about 10:15 a.m. local time from North Korea`s northwest coast into the Yellow Sea without causing any apparent damage.

The missile fired this time flew an estimated 60 km and landed in the Yellow Sea, said Japanese officials.

North Korea test-fired two short-range missiles in late February and early March amidst tensions over its suspected nuclear weapons program. The type of missile fired yesterday was an improved medium-range anti-ship missile, the same type fired in March, said Japanese military experts.

Japan`s launch of spy satellites Friday to monitor North Korea`s suspected nuclear weapons program had angered Pyongyang, which threatened to test-fire a missile. In addition, Japanese Defense Secretary opined that if Japan should be likely to be attacked, it would be constitutional to carry out a preemptive attack, escalating tension between Tokyo and Pyongyang. Thus, some interpret this test-firing as a warning to Japan.

The Japanese government said Tuesday`s reported test-fire was likely a routine test, and played down possible dangers, saying, "Since this is not a ballistic missile, we do not think that this would pose a direct threat to the security of Japan."

Out of fear that Pyongyang is about to end its moratorium on longer range, ballistic missile tests and is preparing to test-fire the medium-range Rodong missile, Japan has been building up its military presence in the East Sea by, for example, deploying Aegis cruisers to the area.

South Korean officials said there was no evidence it had occurred.

"South Korean and U.S. military intelligence officials have checked reports and concluded that there was no missile launch by North Korea," a Defense Ministry official said. A South Korean NSC official also denied the report and said, "If a missile had been fired, we would have been notified of it immediately. It could have been gunfire from a ship or an artillery shell."

Sang-Ho Yun Hun-Joo Cho ysh1005@donga.com hanscho@donga.com