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S. Korea, US verifying reports on test of new N.K. missile in Iran

TOKYO, May 16 (KUNA) -- South Korean and US military authorities are trying to verify newly obtained intelligence that North Korea test-launched in Iran a new kind of missile that was only revealed to the public last month, Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday in a dispatch from Washington.
North Korea doesn't appear to have tested the intermediate-range ballistic missile within its territory, a source told the South Korean news agency. "But we did obtain intelligence tips that the missile was test-fired in Iran. I understand that the intelligence communities of relevant countries are tracking down the information," the source was quoted as saying The missile, named "Musudan," is believed to have been developed from the former Soviet Union's SSN-6 model, the report said. Its range is estimated at around 4,000 kilometers. The missile was first made public on April 25 at a parade marking the anniversary of the foundation of the North Korean military. North Korea launched seven ballistic missiles on July 4 of last year, including an inter-continental Taepodong-2 that theoretically can strike the US west coast. The Musudan version is estimated to have a range longer than the Taepodong-1 but shorter than the Taepodong-2. (end) mk.rk KUNA 160956 May 07NNNN