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North Korea's short-range missile launches. Number one on the map was launched on May 25

In connection with Pyongyang’s recent test-firing of short-range missiles, Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have all taken different positions. They differ not only on the purpose of North Korea’s missile tests, but also in the way they have judged and shared existing information. North Korea has reportedly tested three short-range missiles this year, on May 25, June 7 and 27.

Regarding the North’s June 27 short-range missile test, Richard Lawless, former U.S. deputy undersecretary of defense, stated on July 6 (local time) that South Korea was the only target of the North Korean short-range missiles. The North’s fired missiles have improved accuracy and striking power, invoking cause for greater concern for South Korea and Japan, stressed the U.S. official. ‘‘You have for the first time in the North Korean inventory a solid-fuel, highly mobile, highly accurate system whose only purpose, given its range, is to strike (South Korea),” he said. The remarks, which were made during an interview with Yonhap News, go one step further than those previously made by Gen. Burwell Bell, commander of U.S. Forces Korea, who said that the North’s advanced short-range missiles had been developed to attack South Korea and its people on July 2.

number two on June 7 and number three on June 27.

Such views are somewhat different from those of the South Korean government. The Ministry of National Defense in Seoul said on June 28, ‘‘The North’s recent short-range missile tests are thought to be part of training activities, with the aim of improving its existing missiles.’’

The military authorities think the latest missile fired by the North was a KN-02 ballistic missile, an improved version of the former Soviet Union’s SS-21 ground-to-ground missile. According to South Korean military officials, North Korea had already completed basic reconstruction of the KN-02 missile in 2004 and has performed tests for its improvement every year since then.

A source familiar with the military was said to have found no variables worsening the situation this year, saying that statements by Lawless and other U.S. personnel had been exaggerated. An official from a military research center also noted, ‘‘The South Korean military has occasionally fired Hyeonmu and Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles, the maximum firing range of which are 250-270km. It is not necessary to overexaggerate the North’s short-range missile tests.’’

Regarding the release of information on the North’s firing of missiles, a war of nerves among the three nations also appears to be taking place. North Korea tested three short-range missiles this year, on May 25, June 7 and 27. The earlier two tests were made public through reports by the Japanese media. As for the June 27 test, a U.S. official announced that the missile fired had been a ballistic missile, following reports by the U.S. media. Conversely, Seoul has been reluctant to confirm the situation. This is reportedly because the U.S. objects whenever the South Korean government tries to confirm sensitive information. However, as sensitive information on the North’s missile launches seems to have been leaked by Japan, South Korea has reportedly requested that the U.S. pressure Japan not to leak the intelligence in the future.

Many analysts think that Washington and Tokyo have emphasized the threat of the North’s short-range missiles because they want Seoul to take part in its Missile Defense (MD). The two allies plan to perform their first MD training in as early as January 2008. According to the analysts, the U.S. is exerting pressure on South Korea to join the U.S.-led MD rather than letting the country build its own independent missile defense network.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]