N. Korea may be getting missile test data from Iran: U.S. official

Japan Policy & Politics, June 1, 2004

WASHINGTON, May 27 Kyodo

The United States is concerned North Korea may be getting missile test data from Iran, making the effectiveness of Pyongyang's moratorium on missile test-launches doubtful, a senior U.S. administration official said Thursday.

''We've been concerned that maybe the Iranians are sharing data about their test with North Korea, perhaps in exchange for nuclear technology,'' the official told Kyodo News on condition of anonymity.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Il reaffirmed that North Korea will continue its moratorium on missile test-firing when he met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Pyongyang last Saturday.

The U.S. official said the moratorium ''isn't very significant'' if North Korea is getting Iranian missile test data.

If North Korea is advancing the range and accuracy of Rodong and Taepodong ballistic missiles based on Iranian data, ''that's another point of vulnerability and I think of legitimate concern for all the neighboring countries, especially Japan,'' he added.

Although expressing concerns about suspected close relations between North Korea and Iran on the missile front, the official said overall North Korean missile sales are declining.

Missile trade between North Korea and Libya is currently ''off,'' he said.

Libya decided earlier this month to halt arms deals with countries accused of trying to proliferate weapons of mass destruction. Last December, Libya said it will voluntarily dismantle all its weapons of mass destruction programs.

The official said North Korean missile sales to Egypt, Syria and Yemen have not been confirmed recently.