ID :
47432
Tue, 02/24/2009 - 20:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/47432
The shortlink copeid
(2nd LD) N. Korea expected to be fully ready for rocket launch ahead of elections:
(ATTN: RECASTS headline; TRIMS throughout; RECASTS paras 6-7 to clarify timing of
fuel injection; ADDS possible motive for satellite launch in last para)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will likely complete preparations to
launch what it claims to be a satellite ahead of its rubber-stamp parliamentary
elections next month, a South Korean source said Tuesday.
"The assessment of the preparations shows that (preparations) could end in a week
or two," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not
authorized to speak to reporters.
The elections, in which North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will reaffirm his
authority over the country's 1.2-million-strong military after a rumored stroke
last year, are set for March 8.
North Korea said earlier in the day it is preparing to launch a satellite,
rebuffing outside intelligence that it is moving to test-fire its longest-range
missile, the Taepodong-2.
The source said the suspected missile has yet to be mounted on a launch pad at
the Musudan-ri base on the east coast, but added the North appears to be
assembling radars and other monitoring equipment.
Experts believe it would take the North days to complete injection of fuel once a
Taepodong-2 missile is mounted onto the launch pad.
The model has an estimated range of over 6,700 km -- threatening Alaska and
Hawaii -- but an earlier version crashed soon after takeoff in July 2006. South
Korea said this week in its defense white paper that the North has taken measures
to fix the glitches.
"The North appears to be installing radars and measuring equipment that would
monitor the course and impact point after the missile is launched," the source
said, referring to a flurry of activity.
"The missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2, has yet to be set up at the launch
pad," he said, anticipating the North will likely exhibit clearer moves soon.
North Korea conducted its first known atomic test in 2006, but neighbors play
down the likelihood of the country having developed the technology to tip a
missile with a nuclear warhead.
Analysts say a satellite launch would help shore up Kim's leadership as he leads
his impoverished state amid a stalemate in multinational talks that would
compensate the North for its denucearlization.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
fuel injection; ADDS possible motive for satellite launch in last para)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Feb. 24 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will likely complete preparations to
launch what it claims to be a satellite ahead of its rubber-stamp parliamentary
elections next month, a South Korean source said Tuesday.
"The assessment of the preparations shows that (preparations) could end in a week
or two," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he is not
authorized to speak to reporters.
The elections, in which North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will reaffirm his
authority over the country's 1.2-million-strong military after a rumored stroke
last year, are set for March 8.
North Korea said earlier in the day it is preparing to launch a satellite,
rebuffing outside intelligence that it is moving to test-fire its longest-range
missile, the Taepodong-2.
The source said the suspected missile has yet to be mounted on a launch pad at
the Musudan-ri base on the east coast, but added the North appears to be
assembling radars and other monitoring equipment.
Experts believe it would take the North days to complete injection of fuel once a
Taepodong-2 missile is mounted onto the launch pad.
The model has an estimated range of over 6,700 km -- threatening Alaska and
Hawaii -- but an earlier version crashed soon after takeoff in July 2006. South
Korea said this week in its defense white paper that the North has taken measures
to fix the glitches.
"The North appears to be installing radars and measuring equipment that would
monitor the course and impact point after the missile is launched," the source
said, referring to a flurry of activity.
"The missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2, has yet to be set up at the launch
pad," he said, anticipating the North will likely exhibit clearer moves soon.
North Korea conducted its first known atomic test in 2006, but neighbors play
down the likelihood of the country having developed the technology to tip a
missile with a nuclear warhead.
Analysts say a satellite launch would help shore up Kim's leadership as he leads
his impoverished state amid a stalemate in multinational talks that would
compensate the North for its denucearlization.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
