U.S. CONCERNED ABOUT ALLEGED N. KOREAN DRUG TRAFFICKING

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (Kyodo) -- The U.S. government Wednesday voiced concern
about alleged drug trafficking by North Korea and showed willingness to
monitor the situation closely.

State Department spokesman James Rubin said the department is aware of past
reports that North Koreans may be engaging in such activity.

''We view these reports with concern, particularly since they suggest the
possibility that North Korean officials could be involved,'' Rubin told a
news briefing.

Rubin made the comments after a U.S. research agency issued a report
earlier this week charging Pyongyang with state sponsorship of drug
production and trafficking.

In a report prepared for Congress, the Congressional Research Service said
allegations of large-scale drug production and trafficking by North Korea
have raised concern in Congress, the administration and among U.S. allies
combating international drug trafficking.

Since 1976, North Korea has been linked to more than 30 incidents involving
drug seizures in at least 13 countries, the report said. These cases have
involved the arrest or detention of North Korean diplomats or officials, it
said.

Rubin said there is not yet sufficient evidence to meet legal criteria for
including North Korea in a list of the so-called major narcotics countries.

The U.S. needs to monitor the situation closely to determine whether a
substantial amount of opium is being cultivated or harvested in North Korea
and whether opium transiting North Korea is significantly affecting the
U.S., he said.

The administration will issue its international narcotics strategy in the
coming weeks, which will include information on related North Korean
activities, the spokesman said.