ID :
68995
Sat, 07/04/2009 - 09:27
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/68995
The shortlink copeid
Chances of N. Korea firing mid-range missile high amid favorable weather: sources
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Chances that North Korea will test fire a mid-range
missile this weekend around U.S. Independence Day are high as weather conditions
appear favorable on its east coast, sources said Friday.
But it is unlikely that the North will launch an intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM) around July 4 even though the equipment has apparently been moved
to a base on the west coast, they said.
"We would have known by now whether North Korea is about to launch an ICBM," a
source said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak
to the media.
"Signs would've been detected days earlier," he said.
Another source, who declined to be named for the same reason, said skies will be
mostly clear this weekend over a missile base in Gitdaeryong on the east coast.
"That's what concerns us. The forecast suggests the weather will be good, and a
medium-range missile can be launched at short notice under such conditions if
North Korea wants to fire one," the source said.
The mid-range missile North Korea has apparently prepared appears to be a Rodong
missile capable of flying up to 1,500 kilometers, one of the sources said.
In an apparent bid to raise its stakes in disarmament talks with the U.S. and
other countries, North Korea test-launched a barrage of missiles, including a
long-range Taepodong 2, from the Gitdaeryong site on July 5 in 2006.
North Korea on Thursday test-fired four short-range missiles from another base on
its east coast, the first military action it has taken since the U.S. Security
Council passed a resolution punishing the communist state for its May 25 nuclear
test.
"There were cruise missiles, unlike the mid-range one we think the North has
prepared on the east," a source said.
The firing took place hours after talks between the divided Koreas ended without
progress over the fate of a joint factory complex and a South Korean worker who
has been detained in North Korea for months.
"We believe the firing was conducted with regard to" cross-border relations,
South Korean defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said earlier Friday.
In the days following the nuclear test in May, North Korea fired a series of
short-range missiles off the east coast. North Korea had coupled its first
nuclear test in 2006 with the launches of a barrage of missiles.
North Korea is believed to have about 800 missiles in its arsenal. It has in
recent years deployed mid-range missiles and launched a long-range rocket on
April 5 despite outside warnings it would be considered a test of a ballistic
missile capable of hitting the western U.S.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, July 3 (Yonhap) -- Chances that North Korea will test fire a mid-range
missile this weekend around U.S. Independence Day are high as weather conditions
appear favorable on its east coast, sources said Friday.
But it is unlikely that the North will launch an intercontinental ballistic
missile (ICBM) around July 4 even though the equipment has apparently been moved
to a base on the west coast, they said.
"We would have known by now whether North Korea is about to launch an ICBM," a
source said, speaking on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak
to the media.
"Signs would've been detected days earlier," he said.
Another source, who declined to be named for the same reason, said skies will be
mostly clear this weekend over a missile base in Gitdaeryong on the east coast.
"That's what concerns us. The forecast suggests the weather will be good, and a
medium-range missile can be launched at short notice under such conditions if
North Korea wants to fire one," the source said.
The mid-range missile North Korea has apparently prepared appears to be a Rodong
missile capable of flying up to 1,500 kilometers, one of the sources said.
In an apparent bid to raise its stakes in disarmament talks with the U.S. and
other countries, North Korea test-launched a barrage of missiles, including a
long-range Taepodong 2, from the Gitdaeryong site on July 5 in 2006.
North Korea on Thursday test-fired four short-range missiles from another base on
its east coast, the first military action it has taken since the U.S. Security
Council passed a resolution punishing the communist state for its May 25 nuclear
test.
"There were cruise missiles, unlike the mid-range one we think the North has
prepared on the east," a source said.
The firing took place hours after talks between the divided Koreas ended without
progress over the fate of a joint factory complex and a South Korean worker who
has been detained in North Korea for months.
"We believe the firing was conducted with regard to" cross-border relations,
South Korean defense ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said earlier Friday.
In the days following the nuclear test in May, North Korea fired a series of
short-range missiles off the east coast. North Korea had coupled its first
nuclear test in 2006 with the launches of a barrage of missiles.
North Korea is believed to have about 800 missiles in its arsenal. It has in
recent years deployed mid-range missiles and launched a long-range rocket on
April 5 despite outside warnings it would be considered a test of a ballistic
missile capable of hitting the western U.S.
samkim@yna.co.kr
(END)
