North Korea seeks talks on long-range missile test

Seoul, June 21 : North Korea wants to talk to the United States to ease tensions over Pyongyang's possible plans to test-launch a long-range missile, Yonhap news agency reported today.

Han Song-ryol, North Korea's deputy chief of mission at the United Nations in New York, said North Korea had a right to develop and test missiles, but the country would like to ease tensions over the situation through talks, Yonhap quoted him as saying.

Seoul, Washington and Tokyo have said there is evidence that North Korea may test-fire a long-range missile, a move the three have said would present a grave danger to regional security.

''We know that the U S is concerned about our missile test launch,'' Han said in a telephone conversation with Yonhap.

''Our position is to solve this situation through discussions,'' Han was quoted as saying.

Reuters