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Updated: New York:Jun 16 18:47 London:Jun 16 23:47 Tokyo:Jun 17 07:47

Japan

N. Korea Missile Test Would Violate Accord With Japan (Update1)

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June 16 (Bloomberg) -- A long-range missile test by North Korea would violate an agreement Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi reached with the country's leader, Kim Jong Il, in 2002, Japan's chief cabinet secretary said.

North Korea may test a long-range missile as early as this weekend to assess its ability to reach areas including the U.S., Reuters reported on its Web site, citing American officials it didn't identify.

"If North Korea launches a missile that directly affects Japan's security, it would be a violation of the Pyongyang Declaration," Shinzo Abe, who is also chief government spokesman, said at a regular press briefing.