DATE=6/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-233994
TITLE=KOREA/ MISSILES (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=JOHN LARKIN
DATELINE=SEOUL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:  

INTRO:  NORTH KOREA HAS REFUSED TO BACK AWAY FROM ITS 
CONTROVERSIAL MISSILE PROGRAM.  JOHN LARKIN REPORTS FROM SEOUL 
THAT NORTH KOREA SAYS IT WILL  NOT  BACK OFF ON MISSILE TESTING 
UNTIL THE UNITED STATES DROPS ECONOMIC SANCTIONS.

TEXT:  NORTH KOREA PLEDGED TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING, TESTING AND 
DEPLOYING MISSILES, CLAIMING U-S SANCTIONS HAVE FORCED IT TO RELY
ON MISSILE SALES TO EARN FOREIGN EXCHANGE. 

THE WARNING WAS DELIVERED BY THE NORTH'S OFFICIAL KOREAN CENTRAL 
NEWS AGENCY.  IT SAID THE MISSILE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE UNLESS 
WASHINGTON LIFTS SANCTIONS AND COMPENSATES NORTH KOREA FOR LOSSES
CAUSED BY THE DISCONTINUATION OF MISSILE EXPORTS. 

ANALYSTS SAY IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE COMMUNIST REGIME HAS 
SPELLED OUT ITS INTENTIONS ON ITS MISSILE PROGRAM.

NORTH KOREA STARTED PRODUCING BALLISTIC MISSILES IN THE EARLY 
1980'S, AND CAUSED ALARM ACROSS ASIA WHEN IT TEST FIRED A 
MEDIUM-RANGE MISSILE INTO THE SEA OF JAPAN IN 1993, DEMONSTRATING
THAT JAPAN WAS WITHIN REACH OF ITS MISSILE ARSENAL.

NORTH KOREA HAS DENIED DEVELOPING NUCLEAR WEAPONS, BUT HAS 
INSISTED IT IS ENTITLED TO PURSUE A MISSILE PROGRAM. 

ALTHOUGH THE NORTH HAS  NOT  DISCLOSED WHICH NATIONS BUY ITS 
MISSILES, PAKISTAN, SYRIA, IRAN AND IRAQ ARE WIDELY BELIEVED TO 
BE CUSTOMERS.

THE TIMING OF THE K-C-N-A REPORT COINCIDES WITH PRESSURE ON 
WASHINGTON FROM SOUTH KOREA TO EASE ECONOMIC SANCTIONS ON NORTH 
KOREA.

THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS UNWILLING TO SCRAP ECONOMIC 
SANCTIONS UNTIL NORTH KOREA'S LEADERS SHOW A WILLINGNESS TO DROP 
THEIR WEAPONS EXPORTS AND GRANT MORE FREEDOM TO THEIR CITIZENS. 
(SIGNED) 

NEB/JL/GC/FC /MMK

16-Jun-98 7:51 AM EDT (1151 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.