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Pyongyang spent $700m on nuke, missile tests: Reports

China Daily | Updated: 2009-07-07 07:46

SEOUL: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has spent an estimated 700 million dollars this year on nuclear and missile tests, ROK news reports said yesterday.

The figure includes the estimated $43 million cost of test-firing five Scud and two Rodong missiles Saturday, according to unidentified government officials quoted by Chosun Ilbo newspaper.

The latest tests, staged on the US Independence Day holiday, were seen as a show of defiance to Washington as it seeks tough enforcement of UN sanctions aimed at shutting down the country's nuclear and missile programs.

Officials quoted by Chosun estimated it cost $300 million to launch a long-range Taepodong-2 missile on April 5, and another $10 million to launch 10 short-range missiles in recent weeks.

In addition, they estimated the May 25 underground nuclear test - the country's second since 2006 - cost between $300-400 million.

JoongAng Ilbo gave similar figures. Neither paper gave the methodology for the cost calculation.

Saturday's launches were the biggest salvo of ballistic weaponry since the DPRK fired a Taepodong-2 and six smaller missiles in 2006, also on July 4 US time.

US Vice-President Joseph Biden on Sunday dismissed the launches as "like almost attention-seeking behavior" and said the focus was on further isolating Pyongyang.

"We have succeeded in uniting the most important and critical countries to North Korea (DPRK) on a common path of further isolating North Korea," he told ABC television, referring to Russia and China.

The two countries have been traditionally resistant to tough sanctions on Pyongyang but backed the latest measures approved on June 12.

US and ROK officials believe DPRK leader Kim Jong-il, 67, is staging a show of strength to bolster his authority as he tries to put in place a succession plan involving his youngest son Jong-Un.

Speaking on CBS television on Sunday, the top US military commander fretted about the "unpredictability" of Pyongyang.

"I'm very comfortable with our defensive posture, that we can protect our interests, our people and our territories," Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen said.

"What I am increasingly concerned about is just the belligerence and the unpredictability of the North Korean leadership," Admiral Mullen said.

AFP

(China Daily 07/07/2009 page12)

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