ID :
63366
Sat, 05/30/2009 - 22:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/63366
The shortlink copeid
(2nd LEAD) N. Korea believed to be preparing for ICBM launch: source
(ATTN: ADDS background in last 3 paras)
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to be preparing for a long-range
missile test, an informed intelligence source said Saturday, defying the U.N.
Security Council whose members are negotiating a resolution to punish it for its
recent nuclear test.
The source, asking not to be identified, said an object that appeared to be an
intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was recently spotted on a cargo train
at an artillery research center near Pyongyang, the North Korean capital.
"We believe that the object is certainly an ICBM," said the official, adding that
its size is somewhat similar to the one the North fired into the Pacific on April
5.
North Korea is believed to have started moving the object to a missile launch pad
in Musudan-ri on the country's east coast, according to the official.
"The missile may be a modified version of a Taepodong-2 missile, which can travel
over 4,000 kms," the official said. A Taepodong-2 missile is theoretically
capable of reaching the western U.S.
"It usually takes about two months to set up a launch pad, but the process could
be done in as little as two weeks, which means the North could launch a
long-range missile as early as mid-June," the source said.
The developments of what appears to be preparations for a missile launch follow
Monday's nuclear test, which drew the international community's condemnation
against North Korea. The test came less than two months after it fired a rocket
that the U.S. and its allies say was a disguised form of an intercontinental
ballistic missile.
The remarks came shortly after a South Korean defense source in Singapore said
some activities were spotted at a North Korean munitions factory used to build
long-range missiles.
Some watchers speculate that North Korea may launch a missile at a time close to
a summit set for June 16 between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his
U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama.
"There is a possibility that North Korea may push the 'fire' button right before
or after the South Korea-U.S. summit," said a key diplomatic official at the
presidential office, requesting to be unnamed.
On Friday, North Korea shot the sixth short-range missile into the East Sea since
Monday, when Pyongyang claimed it successfully conducted its second nuclear test.
It also warned it will take further "self-defense counter-measures" should the
U.N. Security Council punish its nuclear test, a stern message also directed at
its allies, China and Russia.
The warning issued by the North's Foreign Ministry came as the five members of
the Security Council and the countries most affected by the test -- South Korea
and Japan -- were discussing ways to respond to Monday's atomic detonation.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to be preparing for a long-range
missile test, an informed intelligence source said Saturday, defying the U.N.
Security Council whose members are negotiating a resolution to punish it for its
recent nuclear test.
The source, asking not to be identified, said an object that appeared to be an
intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was recently spotted on a cargo train
at an artillery research center near Pyongyang, the North Korean capital.
"We believe that the object is certainly an ICBM," said the official, adding that
its size is somewhat similar to the one the North fired into the Pacific on April
5.
North Korea is believed to have started moving the object to a missile launch pad
in Musudan-ri on the country's east coast, according to the official.
"The missile may be a modified version of a Taepodong-2 missile, which can travel
over 4,000 kms," the official said. A Taepodong-2 missile is theoretically
capable of reaching the western U.S.
"It usually takes about two months to set up a launch pad, but the process could
be done in as little as two weeks, which means the North could launch a
long-range missile as early as mid-June," the source said.
The developments of what appears to be preparations for a missile launch follow
Monday's nuclear test, which drew the international community's condemnation
against North Korea. The test came less than two months after it fired a rocket
that the U.S. and its allies say was a disguised form of an intercontinental
ballistic missile.
The remarks came shortly after a South Korean defense source in Singapore said
some activities were spotted at a North Korean munitions factory used to build
long-range missiles.
Some watchers speculate that North Korea may launch a missile at a time close to
a summit set for June 16 between South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his
U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama.
"There is a possibility that North Korea may push the 'fire' button right before
or after the South Korea-U.S. summit," said a key diplomatic official at the
presidential office, requesting to be unnamed.
On Friday, North Korea shot the sixth short-range missile into the East Sea since
Monday, when Pyongyang claimed it successfully conducted its second nuclear test.
It also warned it will take further "self-defense counter-measures" should the
U.N. Security Council punish its nuclear test, a stern message also directed at
its allies, China and Russia.
The warning issued by the North's Foreign Ministry came as the five members of
the Security Council and the countries most affected by the test -- South Korea
and Japan -- were discussing ways to respond to Monday's atomic detonation.
ygkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
