South Korea criticises Japan reaction on missiles

SEOUL, July 11 (Reuters) South Korea today called remarks by Japanese leaders over the North Korean missile test crisis reckless and arrogant, widening a rift between Seoul and Tokyo over their response to last week's launch.

''It is very serious in itself that Japan's cabinet ministers mentioned the possibility of pre-emptive attacks on the Korean peninsula and the justness of using military power,'' the presidential Blue House said in a statement.

''South Korea will deal sternly with Japanese political leaders' arrogant and reckless remarks where they made such dangerous and the provocative comments as 'pre-emptive attacks','' it said.

North Korea's test-launching of seven missiles last week have rekindled a debate in neighbouring Japan over whether Tokyo should develop the capability to make pre-emptive strikes and whether these would violate its pacifist constitution.

North Korea launched a long-range missile over Japan in 1998.

''I believe it is necessary to conduct study and research (on the matter) constantly from the standpoint of what needs to be done to protect the Japanese people, land and state,'' Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe told a news conference yesterday.

However Abe did not say Tokyo was considering a pre-emptive strike, which Japan does not have the capability to implement, nor did he use the words ''pre-emptive strike''.

South Korea's Blue House on Sunday criticised Japan for making a fuss about the missile test in a statement.

Roh himself has come under increasing criticism at home for his government's response to the missile launch for being too slow and too soft on the North.

REUTERS SB KP0948