- UNITED NATIONS (AP) - A North Korean official said Monday that the danger of
another Korean War "is getting ever more imminent" because the
Korean peninsula remains divided.
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- In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly,
Vice Foreign Minister Choe Su Hon said reunification would remove the danger
of war. And he called the U.S. Army's presence in South Korea "the
major obstacle" to reunification.
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- But Choe also had more hopeful words
for the gathering of world leaders, saying that the next century could
still be "peaceful and prosperous." He said the world would see
an independent and peace-loving North Korea develop into "a prosperous
power."
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- And he said North Korea remains committed
to reunification.
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- "It is our consistent stand to hold
dialogue for reunification and to improve relations between the north and
south of Korea," he said.
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- Choe reiterated North Korea's demand
that the United States withdraw its forces from South Korea and called
on Japan to stop meddling in the peninsula's affairs.
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- "As a result of the present military
maneuvers against North Korea on and around the Korean peninsula, a danger
that either the 20th century may close or the 21st century may open with
another Korean war is getting ever more imminent," he said.
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- Choe touted North Korea's first satellite
launch on Aug. 31 as a demonstration of "the might of our scientific
and technical development."
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- He said the satellite was launched successfully
with a multi-stage rocket.
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- U.S. intelligence agencies initially
thought the North Koreans fired a three-stage ballistic missile, which
flew across Japan. But U.S. analysts later concluded it was a failed satellite
launch and demonstrated continued North Korean efforts to develop intercontinental-range
missiles.
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- Choe said Japan shouldn't hinder reunification
"by aggravating the tense situation on the Korean peninsula."
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- After the launch, the United States and
Japan agreed to conduct joint research on a missile defense system that
could protect Japan from attack.
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- "In order for the Korean people
to solve questions on national unity and reunification by themselves, countries
concerned including the United States and Japan should refrain from acts
of hindering the efforts of the Korean people," Choe said.
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- He called for nuclear disarmament to
remain a priority on the U.N. agenda but made no mention of his country's
nuclear program.
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