South Korea says at 'critical moment' on North Korea crisis

SEOUL- (Reuters) - South Korea believes diplomatic efforts to have North Korea end its nuclear programs are at a "critical moment," and that patience with Pyongyang is wearing thin, a top official said on Wednesday.The North is suspected of having conducted a test of a short-range missile on Sunday, and U.S. officials have recently indicated Pyongyang may be preparing for a nuclear test."We are at a critical moment in the process of trying to resolve this situation peacefully and diplomatically," Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said at a regular press briefing."The recent developments are grounds for serious concern as they continue to unfold," Ban said, adding: "The outlook for the resumption of the talks is not all that bright."Click title for link...
North Korea tested improved, short-range missile - paper
The short-range missile North Korea is thought to have tested at the weekend was a Soviet-era rocket modified so it could reach new U.S. bases in South Korea, a South Korean newspaper reported on Wednesday.A South Korean military official told the daily JoongAng Ilbo that an analysis of Pyongyang's missile test conducted by Seoul indicated the North had upgraded a Soviet FROG-7 rocket by adding a new navigation system and extending its range.
The revamped missile could hit U.S. military bases that are scheduled to be moved south from Seoul to new sites about 75 km south of the South Korean capital by 2008, the official told the paper. Link