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U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Richard Lawless on Wednesday kept up pressure on North Korea when he said the reclusive country could be developing a new kind of missile and warned the U.S. was closely watching for signs of an impending nuclear test.
Japanese lawmakers reported Lawless as making the remarks in meetings with a Japanese parliamentary delegation visiting the U.S. that included Liberal Democratic Party chief Abe Shinjo. They also quoted him as saying the situation had become more critical since North Korea declared in February that it has nuclear weapons.
Lawless said North Korea¡¯s May 1 missile launch into the East Sea could be connected with the development of a ¡°third kind¡± of missile other than a ballistic missile, according to Abe. The LDP chief said Lawless explained that North Korea already set up its Rodong ballistic missiles and, Washington believes, is currently developing a new ballistic missile as well.
Lawless said North Korean claims to have nuclear warheads and other weapons could be mere verbal threats, but considering that the country had been working on such weapons for the last 25 years, the claims could also be true and it was best to be prepared.
In his second meeting with the delegation, Lawless told them his government had drawn no firm conclusion about rumors that North Korea is preparing for a nuclear test but was watching the situation closely.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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