News Briefs
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: News
Tension spreads over
North Korean nuclear presence
On May 30, a senior American official confirmed South Korean news reports of another North Korean missile test.
These reports indicated that North Korea seemed to be in preparation for the shipment of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile is reported to be transferred to a testing site on the waters between Korea and Japan.
This action is being read internationally as a sign that North Korea might be planning to test another long-range missile.
The country has conducted two similar tests previously, including one over Japanese territory. International attention is set over Japan's reaction to this continuing threat.
North Korea has been test-firing short-range missiles since May 25, 2009 when the country conducted an underground nuclear test.
The country last test-fired a long-range missile on Apr. 5, which proved unsuccessful in meeting its goal of putting a satellite into orbit.
Reports include a timeline of several weeks for the missile to not only reach the required site, but also be put in place. These reports have emerged without evidence that the country have the technology to create a nuclear device small enough to fit atop one of these long-range missiles.
In addition to this tension, two American journalists have been held by North Korea for two and one-half months on accusation of illegal entry and hostile acts. If convicted, the journalists could be sentenced to five years of hard labour or more severe punishment.
North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-il, who is reportedly recovering from a stroke, is said to have picked his son as his successor.
Air France Flight 447
lost over Atlantic Ocean
On May 31, an Air France jet travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris with 228 aboard disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean.
Wreckage from the jet, which vanished from the radar without any distress call, was spotted by Brazilian military planes. Brazilian defense minister, Nelson Jobim, confirmed the wreckages relation to flight 447's disappearance.
North Korean nuclear presence
On May 30, a senior American official confirmed South Korean news reports of another North Korean missile test.
These reports indicated that North Korea seemed to be in preparation for the shipment of an intercontinental ballistic missile. The missile is reported to be transferred to a testing site on the waters between Korea and Japan.
This action is being read internationally as a sign that North Korea might be planning to test another long-range missile.
The country has conducted two similar tests previously, including one over Japanese territory. International attention is set over Japan's reaction to this continuing threat.
North Korea has been test-firing short-range missiles since May 25, 2009 when the country conducted an underground nuclear test.
The country last test-fired a long-range missile on Apr. 5, which proved unsuccessful in meeting its goal of putting a satellite into orbit.
Reports include a timeline of several weeks for the missile to not only reach the required site, but also be put in place. These reports have emerged without evidence that the country have the technology to create a nuclear device small enough to fit atop one of these long-range missiles.
In addition to this tension, two American journalists have been held by North Korea for two and one-half months on accusation of illegal entry and hostile acts. If convicted, the journalists could be sentenced to five years of hard labour or more severe punishment.
North Korean dictator, Kim Jong-il, who is reportedly recovering from a stroke, is said to have picked his son as his successor.
Air France Flight 447
lost over Atlantic Ocean
On May 31, an Air France jet travelling from Rio de Janeiro to Paris with 228 aboard disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean.
Wreckage from the jet, which vanished from the radar without any distress call, was spotted by Brazilian military planes. Brazilian defense minister, Nelson Jobim, confirmed the wreckages relation to flight 447's disappearance.
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