ID :
48007
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 19:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/48007
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea testing rocket monitoring equipment: S. Korean official
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have begun testing radars and other monitoring equipment as it moves briskly to launch what it claims will be a satellite, a South Korean source said Friday.
North Korea said this week it is preparing to shoot a communications satellite
into orbit, a claim that its neighbors say is a disguise for a ballistic missile
capable of hitting Alaska.
The North moved what appeared to be its longest-range Taepodong-2 missile to a
base in its northeastern region several weeks ago and has begun assembling radars
and other monitoring gear there.
"Considering the brisk activity at the Musudan-ri base, we've concluded that the
North's authorities have started testing radars and other equipment as they
assemble them," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he
is not allowed to disclose the information to the media.
South Korean officials said this week North Korea will likely complete
preparations for a launch ahead of its rubber-stamp parliamentary elections next
month.
The elections, in which North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will almost certainly
reaffirm his control over the country's 1.2-million troops after a rumored stroke
last year, are set for March 8.
The officials said the suspected missile has yet to be mounted on the launch pad
at the Musudan-ri base while the North has revamped its technology to expedite
the injection of fuel.
A Taepodong-2 missile has an estimated range of over 6,700 km -- threatening the
western United States -- but an earlier version crashed soon after takeoff in
July 2006.
South Korea said in its latest defense policy report that the North has taken
measures to fix the glitches, but downplays the likelihood of the country being
able to tip a missile with a nuclear warhead. North Korea conducted its first
known atomic test in 2006.
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 denuclearization.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
North Korea said this week it is preparing to shoot a communications satellite
into orbit, a claim that its neighbors say is a disguise for a ballistic missile
capable of hitting Alaska.
The North moved what appeared to be its longest-range Taepodong-2 missile to a
base in its northeastern region several weeks ago and has begun assembling radars
and other monitoring gear there.
"Considering the brisk activity at the Musudan-ri base, we've concluded that the
North's authorities have started testing radars and other equipment as they
assemble them," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he
is not allowed to disclose the information to the media.
South Korean officials said this week North Korea will likely complete
preparations for a launch ahead of its rubber-stamp parliamentary elections next
month.
The elections, in which North Korean leader Kim Jong-il will almost certainly
reaffirm his control over the country's 1.2-million troops after a rumored stroke
last year, are set for March 8.
The officials said the suspected missile has yet to be mounted on the launch pad
at the Musudan-ri base while the North has revamped its technology to expedite
the injection of fuel.
A Taepodong-2 missile has an estimated range of over 6,700 km -- threatening the
western United States -- but an earlier version crashed soon after takeoff in
July 2006.
South Korea said in its latest defense policy report that the North has taken
measures to fix the glitches, but downplays the likelihood of the country being
able to tip a missile with a nuclear warhead. North Korea conducted its first
known atomic test in 2006.
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 denuclearization.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
