April 5 (Reuters) - Here are some comments from analysts about North Korea's launch of a long-range missile on Sunday.
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* SHUNJI HIRAIWA, SHIZUOKA PREFECTURAL UNIVERSITY, JAPAN
"North Korea is likely to judge that its negotiating position has been strengthened now that is has both the 'nuclear and missile cards'. So they are likely to take a very tough stance toward the international community."
SHI YINHONG, PROFESSOR OF INTERNATIONAL SECURITY, RENMIN UNIVERSITY, BEIJING
"If the United States and Japan insist on a new resolution and new sanctions at the United Nations, China will most likely use its veto. China's principle is only to support United Nations sanctions in the most extreme cases. Although the launch was serious, it was much less serious than the nuclear test.
"Sanctions also have had little effect, and only serve to increase tensions. The reason North Korea launched the missile had nothing to do with foreign policy and everything to do with its internal politics. That being the case, they have little reason to pay attention to what the outside world thinks. China will be be very reluctant to let the launch be taken to the U.N. Security Council."
KAZUYA ITO, FUND MANAGER, DAIWA SB INVESTMENTS, TOKYO
"The impact on the JGB market will be neutral as no damage to Japan has been done so far. But if Japan finds some damage from fallen objects or, depending on international political moves from now on, financial markets could show turbulent moves.
"In the worst-case scenario, there may be triple declines in Japanese stocks, bonds, and the value of the yen, but this is very unlikely."
LEE KEON-HYOK, VICE PRESIDENT, SAMSUNG ECONOMIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE IN SEOUL
"The market, through past experiences, is now used to North Korea's precarious moves. So I don't believe the launch would greatly alarm the market, since North Korea previously warned of it and the risk of the launch was already factored into market sentiment for quite some time by now. The market opening on Monday might reflect some signs of concern over the launch but it would calm down in the long run."
KOH YU-HWAN, PROFESSOR, DONGGUK UNIVERSITY IN SEOUL*
"North Korea appears to have decided that it would first demonstrate its ability to launch a satellite and then settle related issues afterwards. The launch seems to have many purposes and was taking aim at the other five countries with which the North is involved in nuclear disarmament talks.
"The fact that North Korea pushed ahead with the launch despite these issues indicates that internal factors seemed to be behind the act, and North would put its priority on maintaining its regime."
SCOTT SNYDER, KOREA EXPERT AT THE ASIA FOUNDATION
"The question is whether it's possible to pass a second (U.N. Security Council) resolution ... or whether it's only possible to get a statement by the president of the Security Council. The Chinese and the Russians will likely not go along with a new resolution if they've succesfully launched a satellite."
"What happens at the U.N. will influence any future negotiation process (with North Korea). What the North Koreans are looking for is a divided field (among the members of the six-party talks on nuclear disarmamant)."
JUN KATO, DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER, SHINKIN CENTRAL BANK, TOKYO
"Since the projectile has gone over Japan and there seems to be no damage to Japan, financial markets' reaction to North Korea's move is expected to be very limited.
"The recent trend of a firmer dollar (against the yen) is expected to continue. We cannot deny a possibility that the currency may find some support from political uncertainties but will be limited. Also a rally in Tokyo stocks will likely continue although they may show some correction due to recent rapid gains.
"But it remains to be seen how developments in international politics will impact on financial markets."
PARK JONG-KYU, ECONOMIST, KOREA INSTITUTE OF FINANCE, SEOUL
"The impact on financial markets will most likely be short-lived or negligible. When North Korea carried out the nuclear test several years ago, Seoul markets had fallen on the very day but recovered the next day. Based on the situation until now, it's not a market moving factor any more.
"Of course if the follow-up reaction from other countries and from North Korea leads to the complete destruction of the existing diplomatic negotiation regime toward North Korea, there could be some turmoil. But still, there will be no impact on the real-economic sectors because I don't think importers in foreign countries will cancel contracts because of this widely anticipated event."
KYOHEI MORITA, CHIEF JAPAN ECONOMIST, BARCLAYS CAPITAL, TOKYO
"It seems that there is no damage to Japan, so this event is neutral for financial markets and will not likely have any impact on the economy.
"The health of Kim Jong Il is more important in determining future relations between North Korea and Japan. There is talk that Kim's third son has been chosen as Kim's successor, but we really do not know much about him, so it is difficult for financial markets to factor this in.
"There was a loss of confidence in the Japanese government after the false warnings they issued, but the government has restored confidence with its quick response after the launch was confirmed."
SHUNJI HIRAIWA, SHIZUOKA PREFECTURAL UNIVERSITY
"For North Korea, this was an event they could not allow to fail ... They will stress that it was a success and try to use it in missile negotations with the United States as well as domestically."
(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)