Pentagon: Inaccurate to Say N. Korea Has Nuclear-Armed Missiles

     The Pentagon says North Korea does not have nuclear-armed missiles, playing down a leaked U.S. intelligence report suggesting Pyongyang has succeeded in miniaturizing a nuclear warhead.

Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement it would be inaccurate to suggest the North has fully tested, developed, or demonstrated the nuclear capability mentioned in the report.

Republican Congressman Doug Lamborn surprised many during a routine budget hearing Thursday by reading what he says was an unclassified paragraph from a U.S. military intelligence report. Lamborn said intelligence officials are moderately confident the North has nuclear weapons capable of delivery by ballistic missiles.

South Korea's defense ministry on Friday expressed skepticism about the claim. Spokesperson Kim Min-seok said there is still doubt whether the North has produced a small enough warhead to fit on a missile.

The U.S. director of national intelligence, James Clapper, also cast doubt on the report, saying "North Korea has not yet demonstrated the full range of capabilities necessary for a nuclear armed missile."

Washington does not officially recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapons state.

The isolated state has carried out three nuclear tests. The latest, in February, used what Pyongyang said was a "smaller and lighter" device. In December, it also succeeded in using a long-range missile to place a satellite into orbit.

Both tests were seen as key steps toward North Korea's stated goal of being able to strike the U.S. mainland with a nuclear weapon. Pyongyang has repeatedly echoed these and other threats toward the U.S. and its allies in recent days.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday said it is time for North Korea to end its "belligerent approach." The president said he prefers a diplomatic approach, but warned Washington will take "all necessary steps" to protect itself and its allies.

Meanwhile, American and South Korean forces remain on heightened alert for a possible North Korean missile test that could demonstrate its ability to hit U.S. targets.

Many expect the test to occur during the lead-up to Pyongyang's Monday birthday celebration of founding leader Kim Il Sung. Some also speculate the test could be timed with the visit of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who arrived in Seoul for talks Friday.

South Korea has said dialogue could help reduce tensions on the Korean peninsula. Seoul's Unification Ministry on Thursday recommended talks with the North on the issue of a joint industrial complex that North Korea has threatened to close.

The Unification Ministry on Friday said Seoul has made progress toward achieving the dialogue. A spokesperson confirmed permission is under review for a private delegation to visit North Korea on the fate of the Kaesong industrial zone.

North Korea this week pulled its over 50,000 workers from the complex. It has also blocked South Korean access to the center, which lies just North of the demilitarized zone.

Kaesong serves as an important source of revenue for the impoverished North. Any decision to shut it down would signify that Pyongyang is willing to sacrifice economically for its latest dispute with the South.

The center has served as an important bellwether of Korean relations since its opening in 2003. It has never been shut down, even during times of heightened tensions between the two wartime foes.

fuente: La Voz de América,   http://www.voanews.com/content/north-korea-missile-nuclear/1639802.html