N. Korea May Launch Nodong Missile: Asahi

Yonhap News ^ | 04/30/10 | Kim Jong-hyun

[TigerLikesRooster]

/begin my summary

N. Korea May Launch Nodong Missile: Asahi

(Tokyo = Yonhap News) Kim Jong-hyun = There are signs that N. Korea would launch medium-range ballistic missile 'Nodong'(range: 1,300km) soon, according to Apr. 30 dispatch from Seoul by Asahi Shimbun.

Using satellite(surveillance,) S. Korea and U.S. located the position where signs of missile launch has been detected, and indications are that the launch would be directed toward East Sea(Sea of Japan.)

/end my summary

[TigerLikesRooster]

P!

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Has there been any activity at there launch sites? If Yes, means there is a launch coming. If No, then its sabre-rattling.

[GonzoGOP]

I'm convinced that NK is trying to start a war. Kim figures that the UN will stop it before he is removed from power. And the military, the only force that could overthrow his secret police, will be destroyed.

[TigerLikesRooster]

This particular model does not require lengthy preparation. It is on a mobile launcher and uses solid fuel.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

I thought the Nodong used liquid propellant.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The Rodong-1 (spelled Nodong-1 in South Korea) is a single stage, mobile liquid propellant medium range ballistic missile developed by North Korea

[TigerLikesRooster]

The paragraph after the excerpts above says that:

노동미사일은 준비가 간단한 고체 연료를 사용하고, 이동식 발사대를 활용하기 때문에 실제 발사여부를 사전에 파악하기 매우 어렵지만 각종 정보를 종합할 때 5월중 발사할 가능성이 있다고 이 신문은 예측했다.

Translation: Nodong missile uses solid fuel, requiring little preparation and on a mobile launcher, which makes it difficult to determine in advance that the launch is imminent but it is likely that they could launch it in May, considering all gathered information.

It is possible that either Asahi or this reporter got it wrong.

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Well, liquid propellant is dangerous when fueling.That activity would be detected by satellite.

[TigerLikesRooster]

Yonhap just put up the follow-up article quoting government authorities. It says that they see no indication of impending launch, and find it unlikely that they would raise tension while Shanghai Expo is held in China.

Link: http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/politics/2010/04/30/0511000000AKR20100430085400043.HTML

[Thane_Banquo]

Every time I read the word NoDong I feel like snickering.

[rabidralph]

I am told that the nodong is inert.

[Thane_Banquo]

Kim’s just mad because has no-dong.

[rdl6989]

Thanks Tiger! This is getting more and more interesting.

[rdl6989]

I'm convinced that NK is trying to start a war.

Perhaps, but I do think they're trying to push Øbama around. They'll be asking for money soon.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Tom Friedman (The World of Tom Friedman's Brain is Flat) had the NERVE to op-ed about two weeks or so ago that Obama has new found international "respect" (sic) because of his Obamacare victory which made him appearn internationally strong and thus kept and keeps our enemies at bay.

I swear these people are certifiable.

We probably had our chance in 2002, but we blew it all on these nonsensical "Six Party Talks", when all it was was Talk only, to stall for time and develop even more potent missile platforms by the Norks. Savior Obama is going to get a lot of people killed, including Americans here in Asia.

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[AmericanInTokyo]

Tom Friedman (The World of Tom Friedman's Brain is Flat) had the NERVE to op-ed about two weeks or so ago that Obama has new found international "respect" (sic) because of his Obamacare victory which made him appearn internationally strong and thus kept and keeps our enemies at bay.

I swear these people are certifiable.

We probably had our chance in 2002, but we blew it all on these nonsensical "Six Party Talks", when all it was was Talk only, to stall for time and develop even more potent missile platforms by the Norks. Savior Obama is going to get a lot of people killed, including Americans here in Asia.

[AmericanInTokyo]

As I am rather fond of saying around these here parts, "They are rattling his cage to see if he gets the squirts."

[Jet Jaguar]

Nodding.