PNRI to test recovered rocket debris

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) will test the debris recovered off Luzon from a rocket launched by North Korea last Wednesday to ensure that the materials are not radioactive.

The rocket debris was recovered some 300 kilometers east of Luzon.

“The debris of the NoKor rocket is very unlikely to be radioactive, thus there is no need for PNRI to send a team at the moment,” said Butch Leonin, a PNRI scientist.

Leonin told The STAR that the debris recovered from the Philippine Sea were brought to the PNRI and will be tested.

“The area is very far from where people are located so there is no need for any immediate action,” Leonin said.

The Philippines condemned the rocket launch, saying it violated at least three United Nations Security Council resolutions banning North Korea from developing ballistic missiles.

A US military official described as a “provocative act” the launching by North Korea of its long-range rocket.

US Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Locklear III said that the rocket launch was conducted despite the opposition of the international community.

“The missile launch that the North Koreans accomplished the last day or so was a provocative act. It was in violation of the UN Security Council resolutions,” Locklear told reporters in a press briefing.

“Overall, (it is) not a good thing for the security environment not only in East Asia but in the rest of the world,” he added.

Locklear said North Korea should not have prioritized the launch given its internal problems.

Meanwhile, the British embassy in Manila reported that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the United Kingdom in London summoned yesterday the North Korean ambassador following the rocket launch.

The British embassy said Permanent Undersecretary Simon Fraser had summoned Ambassador Hyon Hak Bong to the FCO and made clear to the North Korean envoy the United Kingdom’s condemnation of the actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Fraser stressed that the international community was united in their assessment that this launch, using ballistic missile technology, was a breach of UN Security Council Resolution 1874 and that it threatened regional stability.

He urged the DPRK to avoid further provocative action and take urgent steps to re-engage constructively with the international community.

Fraser pointed out that instead of expecting international aid and assistance, the DPRK could have spent the money used on this launch to bring food and modernization to its people.

On Wednesday, the Philippines condemned the North Korean rocket launch, saying that it is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions that demand Pyongyang not to use or conduct any launch using ballistic missile technology.

The Philippines joined other governments in urging the DPRK to undertake steps toward confidence building and engagement with the international community in order to ensure peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the entire Asia-Pacific region. With Pia Lee-Brago, Alexis Romero