U.S. official: Activity seen at launch site in the North
North Korea may be preparing to launch a rocket or missile, according to a U.S. defense official and expert analysis of commercial satellite imagery.The analysis published Thursday comes just three weeks after North Korea drew international condemnation for conducting its fourth nuclear test.
The official told The Associated Press that the United States has seen activity at a ballistic missile test site that is consistent with previous tests, but the official would not go into more detail. The official was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity.
The North Korea-focused website, 38 North, said it has detected what could be the early stages of preparation for launching a space launch vehicle at the nation’s main rocket launch site at Sohae. It based its findings Thursday on satellite imagery taken this week.
North Korea fired its first rocket into space from Sohae, on its west coast, in December 2012, sending into orbit a satellite that soon malfunctioned. The North has said it has the right to launch rockets any time for its space program, but such long-range launches have drawn United Nations sanctions because similar technology can be used for the development of ballistic missiles.
The UN Security Council is deliberating over how to respond to the Jan. 6 underground nuclear explosion. Washington is pressing for tighter sanctions - a step China, the North’s only ally, appears reluctant to take.
Governments and experts have been skeptical about North Korea’s claim that it tested a hydrogen bomb, but whatever device the North detonated, it will likely push the country a step closer toward its goal of manufacturing a miniaturized warhead to place on a missile that can threaten the U.S. mainland. A major launch would only deepen those concerns.
Initial word of a possible launch came Wednesday. The Japanese news agency Kyodo cited an unnamed Japanese government source as saying that satellite imagery analysis showed the North may be readying to fire a long-range ballistic missile from Sohae, and that the launch could occur in about a week at the earliest.
The 38 North analysis said a rocket test in the coming week appeared unlikely. Imagery from Monday showed vehicles or equipment and personnel near the rocket launch tower, but a rocket wasn’t visible. The website said there’s a high level of uncertainty about what snapshots of activity at the launch pad offered by the commercial imagery indicate. AP
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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