Posted on 05/31/2009 8:19:04 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
NK Moves ICBM to Missile Base on West Coast
JUNE 01, 2009 08:03
North Korea has reportedly moved a long-range missile that it says it will test-launch soon following its second nuclear test to a new place.
The intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of more than 5,000 kilometers was moved from a military research center in Sanumdong near Pyongyang and is known to be headed for a base in Musudan-ri, North Hamkyong Province.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence officials say the missile is highly likely to be transported to a newly built long-range missile base in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province. North Korean leader Kim Jong Il will reportedly visit areas near the base early this month, so South Korean and U.S. intelligence are on high alert.
A Washington source familiar with the issue said yesterday, “A train carrying the North’s new ICBM is confirmed to have departed from a train station near the Sanumdong research center nearby Pyongyang. But it disappeared from a spy satellite’s view,” adding, “It is certain the train didn’t go to the Musudan-ri base.”
Given that the North has only two long-range missile bases -- one in Musudan-ri and the other in Tongchang-ri --, chances are that the missile was transported to the Tongchang-ri base, according to intelligence authorities.
A Seoul source said last Friday he agreed with the speculation, saying, “The ICBM the North is now moving on a trailer is thought to be a revamped Taepodong-2 missile,” adding, “Though we cannot give detailed information, the North might not launch the missile from the Musudan-ri base.”
“We should note that the construction of the Tongchang-ri base is almost complete. The launch will most likely happen in mid-June, when South Korea and the U.S. will hold a high-level summit. The North can also choose July 4, U.S. Independence Day.”
A high-ranking Seoul official said Saturday, “A long-range missile mounted on three freight train cars was recently spotted at the Sanumdong military research center,” adding, “We’re sure that it’s an intercontinental ballistic missile.”
Another Washington source said Kim Jong Il is likely to visit Tongchang-ri or vicinity early this month. This is fueling speculation that the reclusive leader will inspect the missile base.
In September last year, the South Korean Defense Ministry said the North was building a new long-range missile base in Tongchang-ri, with construction 80 percent complete.
0, it is 3am your phone is ringing.
There are conflicting reports on N. Korea's military communication volume. Yonhap says it remains more or less the same, but one cable news channel says the volume dropped by half. However, even Yonhap says that N. Korean military is quietly making some preparation for possible action.
Meanwhile, Zero will continue walking around with his head up his butt, “hoping” that mean ol Kim Jong will stop bullying the world and just go away.
Do they care about civilian casualties? Couldn’t they just blame the casualties on the US and find there the provocation they seem to be seeking?
/sarcasm off
1. “I pledge to slow development of future combat systems and eliminate new expenditures on SDI-related research”
2. “In the first 6 months he will be tested, and our reaction will puzzle you”
Let’s see. Cities in districts that support doing away with missile defense are in range: Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles.
It would only be fair.
That’s comforting.
I bet our next election will be like their’s with only one name on the ballot with signs up at the polls saying “Be faithful to your dear leader Kim Jong II” (replace Kim with 0bama)
AP Radio News reports that President Obama “earned high marks” for taking his wife to an Afro-centric Broadway show last night. A gushing lady on the street said it make them seem like real people... like people she could relate to.
This is the important stuff. Who cares about some crazy Kim Song Loon Asian character? He’s like three feet tall and wears funny square glasses. Get serious.
The North Koreans must not have received their strongly worded letter from Great Leader. When they do they will cease, desist, and love us for who cannot love our Great Leader?
Taken by Digital Globe and made public on Sept. 11, 2008.
Inset (top left) : the location of Dongchang-ri test site marked with a red dot. Yellowish colored region on the top left corner is China.
Inset (bottom left): the first launch pad - launch tower(10-story high) on the left side. pad on the right.
Top center: missile assembly facilities
Top right: control tower
Thanks for the ping.
Americans learning lessons in Asia? Nawwwww. You cant expect THAT to happen! /sarc
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