ID :
48067
Fri, 02/27/2009 - 21:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/48067
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea pushing ahead with preparations to launch rocket: sources
SEOUL, Feb. 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have begun assembling a rocket that it claims will carry a satellite into space, a South Korean source said Friday, despite warnings to stop what neighbors call preparations to test-fire a long-range missile.
"It appears that (North Korea) has begun assembling the rocket on the ground,"
the source said, expecting the work to be completed in a week at the earliest.
North Korea said earlier this week it is preparing to shoot a communications
satellite into orbit, a claim its neighbors say is a disguise to launch a
ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska.
The North has moved what appears to be its longest-range Taepodong-2 missile to a
base in its northeast several weeks ago, and has begun assembling radars and
other monitoring equipment.
"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," a South Korean official said earlier Friday, speaking on
condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to disclose such information to
the media.
South Korean officials believe 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
and that the North has improved its technology to expedite fuel injection.
A Taepodong-2 missile has an estimated range of over 6,700 kilometers --
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 downplayed the likelihood of the country having
obtained the capability to tip a rocket with a nuclear warhead.
North Korea conducted its first known atomic test in 2006.
Kim Myong-gil, North Korean envoy to the United Nations, said in Atlanta where he
attended an academic forum that his country will "conduct the launch as planned."
"A satellite launch is a matter of our sovereign right," Kim told reporters,
dismissing suggestions it would hurt prospects for improving Pyongyang-Washington
relations.
Analysts say a satellite launch would solidify Kim's leadership amid a stalemate
in multinational talks aimed at compensating the North for its denuclearization.
They also suggest the alleged missile preparations are a ploy to attract the
attention of new U.S. President Barack Obama, whose newly named point man on
North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, will travel to Asia next week.
Missile experts say the North is likely to have advanced its fuel technology and
is possibly able to load solid fuel into all parts of its multi-stage long-range
missile. They also suggest the communist state has dug an underground fueling
station to make it more difficult for U.S. satellites to predict launch timing.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
"It appears that (North Korea) has begun assembling the rocket on the ground,"
the source said, expecting the work to be completed in a week at the earliest.
North Korea said earlier this week it is preparing to shoot a communications
satellite into orbit, a claim its neighbors say is a disguise to launch a
ballistic missile capable of striking Alaska.
The North has moved what appears to be its longest-range Taepodong-2 missile to a
base in its northeast several weeks ago, and has begun assembling radars and
other monitoring equipment.
"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," a South Korean official said earlier Friday, speaking on
condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to disclose such information to
the media.
South Korean officials believe 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
and that the North has improved its technology to expedite fuel injection.
A Taepodong-2 missile has an estimated range of over 6,700 kilometers --
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 downplayed the likelihood of the country having
obtained the capability to tip a rocket with a nuclear warhead.
North Korea conducted its first known atomic test in 2006.
Kim Myong-gil, North Korean envoy to the United Nations, said in Atlanta where he
attended an academic forum that his country will "conduct the launch as planned."
"A satellite launch is a matter of our sovereign right," Kim told reporters,
dismissing suggestions it would hurt prospects for improving Pyongyang-Washington
relations.
Analysts say a satellite launch would solidify Kim's leadership amid a stalemate
in multinational talks aimed at compensating the North for its denuclearization.
They also suggest the alleged missile preparations are a ploy to attract the
attention of new U.S. President Barack Obama, whose newly named point man on
North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, will travel to Asia next week.
Missile experts say the North is likely to have advanced its fuel technology and
is possibly able to load solid fuel into all parts of its multi-stage long-range
missile. They also suggest the communist state has dug an underground fueling
station to make it more difficult for U.S. satellites to predict launch timing.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
