One hour ago: (AXcess News) Hong Kong - North Korea is preparing to test a long-range missile that could reach the U.S. Satellite images reportedly showed booster rockets being moved on to a launching pad, indicating that North Korea is going to test a Taepodong-2 missile, which could reach the United States through the use of booster rockets.
The news alarmed both Tokyo and Washington, but North Korea is denying any such long-range missile test is taking place.
The satellite images show 10 fuel tanks near the launch pad, which could be used to boost the Taepodong-2 missile to a distance that could put it within range of the West coast of America.
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North Korea told Washington that it was not doing a long-range missile test. Tokyo and Washington have told North Korea that it would be a provocative action on their part and a violation of the 1999 moratorium on long-range missile tests.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso told reporters that the situation was serious. "Pyongyang has been warned," Taro Aso said. "How they respond is up to them."
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The United States has not said whether it has moved any ships or anti-missile submarines into the area.
If North Korea were to launch a long-range missile attack aimed at the United States, the U.S. military says it has more than sufficient technology to detect and destroy them before they could reach U.S. soil. "In a matter of minutes we could detect and counter any such attack by a foreign nation," a Pentagon spokesperson said.
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North Korea Readying Missile Test That Could Reach U.S.
http://www.axcessnews.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=10060
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