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North Korea Prepares For Long-Range Missile Launch

by Yuliya Talmazan | June 1, 2009 at 03:19 pm

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North Korea appears to be preparing for a long-range missile launch, but so far there is no clear indication on how it will proceed with it. North Korea launched long-range missiles in April of this year. But ever since the nuclear bomb test in late May, North Korea has tested only short-range missiles. It is reported by South Korean sources that North Korea can test its intercontinental ballistic missiles that can reach as far as the United States around mid-June.

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At a Manila news conference Monday with Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., Gates said there have been some signs that North Korea is preparing another long-range missile.

North Korea is preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with an estimated range of 2,500-4,000 miles from a west coast base, the daily JoongAng Ilbo cited South Korean intelligence sources as saying.

"We have detected signs that North Korea is preparing to fire an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile)," a South Korean defence ministry spokesman told AFP.

The North has moved a long-range missile to a new base in Dongchang-ri along its northwestern coast and a launch could take place in one or two weeks, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted an unnamed intelligence official as saying.

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Paschen

at 20:43 on June 1st, 2009

North Korea is in the middle of a major power transition and no one is really in charge of the whole country at this point.

Further it has been cut of by all, even by its last supporter such as China. Meaning it will soon run out of cash, ammunition and food. Wish may trigger and internal revolt.

North Korea is playing a poker game that it hopes to win in order to force the Western countries to send aid with out conditions nor having to change its regime.

Should the west demand nuclear disarmed in exchange for massive aid, NK will most likely comply again.

However, I think this time the aid will not arrive nor will there be talks, It looks like the US want the confrontation and China want the regime to collapse.