Posted on 07/10/2006 7:05:30 PM PDT by callmejoe
Tuesday July 11, 11:22 AM
Satellite photos detect activity at N Korea missile bases: report
TOKYO (AFP) - North Korea could be preparing for new launches of mid-range missiles following last week's tests, with activity detected at its bases, a report has said citing Japanese government sources.
US and Japanese satellite photos show that mid-range Rodong missiles had been set up on launch pads at a base in southeastern North Korea, but were later removed, the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported.
Fuel tanks could be seen near the launch pads, the report said.
The report said the satellite photos were taken after last week's tests of seven missiles, but did not give a specific date.
"We think North Korea can launch missiles whenever it wishes," the top-selling daily quoted a government source as saying.
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Sunday suggested Tokyo would have the right to launch a pre-emptive strike to protect its citizens from a missile launch by Pyongyang.
He said there were "visible signs" of activity at a North Korean missile base from which North Korea launched a Rodong missile last week.
Japan submitted a draft binding resolution in the United Nations Security Council that would impose sanctions on North Korea over the missile tests.
But on Monday, the Security Council put off a vote on the resolution to allow more time for Chinese diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis.
The North Koreans seem to have managed to place much of Japan in range of their shorter-range SCUDs (not just the extended range Nodongs and Taepodongs).
The potential for miscalculation and escalation is growing.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/world/20060713TDY01004.htm
Scuds launched by DPRK have longer range
The Yomiuri Shimbun
The sixth and seventh of the seven ballistic missiles launched by North Korea on July 5 were likely a new model of Scud missile with a range double that of the conventional model, it was learned Wednesday.
The Japanese and U.S. governments have found differences in the two missiles from conventional short-range Scud missiles, which have a range of 300 kilometers to 500 kilometers. For example, the governments detected from the two missiles telemetry, a kind of radio wave sent from the new types of missiles during test fires to signal their locations.
The two governments are still analyzing the two missiles, which are believed to have a range of between 600 kilometers and 1,000 kilometers.
According to the analysis conducted so far, the two missiles' transmissions, which included their telemetries and remaining fuel, began shortly after they were launched from Kittaeryong, North Korea.
Telemetry is often used to confirm the cruising ability of missiles under development.
According to the Defense Agency, the new type of Scud can cruise farther than the conventional one because it has a larger fuel tank.
When launched from North Korea, the new Scud can reach parts of Fukuoka, Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures--all of which are within a 600 kilometer-range.
With a range of 800 kilometers, the Scud can reach the Chugoku region and most of the Kyushu and Shikoku regions.
With a range of 1,000 kilometers, the upgraded missiles cover these areas and most of the Chubu region.
Previously, North Korea was said to have been building a new type of Scud to sell to the Middle East and other regions, not to be deployed with the nation's military.
"From now on, Japan will have to keep on its guard against the new Scud, not only the Rodong [which is capable of reaching Japan]," a senior Defense Agency official said.
(Jul. 13, 2006)
Seems things are escalating so fast, it's hard to keep up.
Where is Emperor Ming, "The Merciless", when you need him?
Am I the only one getting a bad feeling? Terrorists bombing in India. Israel and Muslims get it on. N. Korea ramping up missles again. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm.
The White Sands missle launch wasn't just to check to see if the lights were still on. :)
Tell them to STFU and act both hurt and incensed that we would be accused of having had a hand in it.
There was a power outage in Cruces due to a bird dropping a snake on a power line. Hmmmmm.
I suppose that is one way to get a cooked meal. :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.