ID :
64688
Mon, 06/08/2009 - 10:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/64688
The shortlink copeid
N. Korea may use mobile radar before long-range missile launch: source
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean officials believe North Korea may deploy a
mobile radar shortly before test-firing a long-range ballistic missile it is
apparently assembling on its west coast, a source said Monday.
Such a step would mean the North could avoid setting up radar at the base,
avoiding foreign surveillance.
North Korea late last month moved what appears to be missile parts from a
munitions factory near Pyongyang to its newest launch base at Dongchang-ri in the
northwestern region.
The source said North Korea has yet to set up a radar at the base but could
deploy a mobile one to deceive South Korea and the United States, who are raising
their surveillance of its apparent preparations.
"The reason for no radar being seen at the base may be that North Korea is
considering using a mobile one right before it goes ahead with a launch," the
source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Radars are essential in tracking missiles, the source said, adding North Korea
appears to be delaying the work of setting one up while likely making headway in
assembling its rocket at the base.
"Assembly is most likely to involve the fuel storage part because that's the most
sensitive part that can break during transfer and has to be moved in a separate
piece," the source said.
The source declined to say whether North Korea has built an underground fueling
station as it is believed to have before it fired its long-range rocket on April
5 in defiance of outside warnings.
Experts believe North Korea mostly uses liquid fuel to power its long-range
missiles, a process which can take days longer than with solid fuel and also
expose the preparations to foreign eyes.
Less than two months after the long-range rocket launch that only North Korea
claims put a satellite in space, Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test on
May 25.
Following the underground explosion, the North fired a total of six short-range
missiles off its east coast and is now apparently moving to test-fire several
medium-range ones, South Korean sources said.
North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean officials believe North Korea may deploy a
mobile radar shortly before test-firing a long-range ballistic missile it is
apparently assembling on its west coast, a source said Monday.
Such a step would mean the North could avoid setting up radar at the base,
avoiding foreign surveillance.
North Korea late last month moved what appears to be missile parts from a
munitions factory near Pyongyang to its newest launch base at Dongchang-ri in the
northwestern region.
The source said North Korea has yet to set up a radar at the base but could
deploy a mobile one to deceive South Korea and the United States, who are raising
their surveillance of its apparent preparations.
"The reason for no radar being seen at the base may be that North Korea is
considering using a mobile one right before it goes ahead with a launch," the
source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Radars are essential in tracking missiles, the source said, adding North Korea
appears to be delaying the work of setting one up while likely making headway in
assembling its rocket at the base.
"Assembly is most likely to involve the fuel storage part because that's the most
sensitive part that can break during transfer and has to be moved in a separate
piece," the source said.
The source declined to say whether North Korea has built an underground fueling
station as it is believed to have before it fired its long-range rocket on April
5 in defiance of outside warnings.
Experts believe North Korea mostly uses liquid fuel to power its long-range
missiles, a process which can take days longer than with solid fuel and also
expose the preparations to foreign eyes.
Less than two months after the long-range rocket launch that only North Korea
claims put a satellite in space, Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test on
May 25.
Following the underground explosion, the North fired a total of six short-range
missiles off its east coast and is now apparently moving to test-fire several
medium-range ones, South Korean sources said.
North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
