The US State Department declined yesterday to confirm the report that the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted missile engine test
several months ago.
However, if Pyongyang did so, it would have violated a United Nations
resolution banning the DPRK tests of ballistic missiles or components, State
Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
"Any ballistic missile tests of the kind reported would not be permitted
under 1718," McCormack said.
The Associated Press quoted an unidentified US counterproliferation official
as reporting that the DPRK tested the engine on a long-range missile at its new
missile launch test site several months ago.
The DPRK had a long-range missile test in 2006, which reportedly was not
successful.
