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Defense Minister Yoon Kwang-ung, speaking before the National Assembly's Defense Committee on Monday said, "The North Korean missile launches were a military threat." Yoon was responding to Rep. Hwang Jin-ha, a three-star general-turned-lawmaker of the main opposition Grand National Party, who had asked, "President Roh has said that the missile launches were launched for political aims, do you concur?"
"It is the opinion of a Minister who manages military power, that it is a military threat." But on President Roh's statement that the missile launches were not a threat of military force but politically motivated, Yoon said, "If you look at things from a diplomatic angle, it might be different. Depending on whether the responsibilities of one's post are military or political the expressions used (to describe the launches) can be different." And on Roh's comment that "North Korean missiles are far too shabby to (be a threat to) the U.S.," Yoon said, "The Taepodong-2 was a clear failure."
Rep. Hwang followed up, "The President has said that there are no signs that North Korea will conduct a nuclear test. How do you see it?" The defense minister replied, "We can not rule out the possibility of a nuclear test, but as the President said: there are no concrete indications of such plans."
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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