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North Korea is conducting intense military exercises after its nuclear test on October 9 and even tested five ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles last week, officials here say.
A government official said Sunday North Korea test-fired five ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles at a training facility in the western region last week. ¡°It seems to be part of annual military exercise to evaluate combat preparedness, but we¡¯re analyzing the intention because the actual firing of five missiles during the drill is very unusual and comes amid Pyongyang¡¯s protests against the UN Security Council resolution against it,¡± the official added.
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An SA-3 Goa missile of the kind recently tested by North Korea.
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The five missiles include the SA-2 Guideline, a high-altitude surface-to-air guided missile (SAM) system from the Soviet Union with a range of 35-50 km, and the SA-3 Goa, a Soviet surface-to-air missile system with a range of 25 km. It was not confirmed whether the North test-fired the SA-5, a medium-to-high altitude SAM system designed to defend large areas from bomber attack or other strategic aircraft with a range of up to 250 km. The air-to-air missiles are estimated to have a range of around 10 km. Some experts say the missile launches are a preparation for any military action the U.S. may be contemplating, such as bombing the North¡¯s nuclear facilities.
There are also reportedly signs of another impending nuclear test, with continuous movement of trucks and soldiers near Punggye-ri in North Hamgyeong Province, where the first was conducted, and construction of new buildings of unknown purpose. ¡°We are closely watching the situation, since it¡¯s unclear yet whether the signs are of an actual second nuclear test or just a threat of one,¡± a government source here said.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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