Increased activity at Musudan-ri indicates N. Korea preparing for another rocket launch

Yonhap News ^ | 2013/02/15

[TigerLikesRooster]

2013/02/15 10:53 KST

Increased activity at Musudan-ri indicates N. Korea preparing for another rocket launch

SEOUL, Feb. 15 (Yonhap) -- Recent progress in the construction of new facilities and a general increase in activity at North Korea's Musudan-ri launch site may be an indication that the belligerent nation might launch another rocket following the detonation of its third nuclear device, a Web site specializing in North Korean affairs said Friday.

"Construction of new facilities at the Tonghae Satellite launching ground, previously disrupted by typhoons that ravaged the east coast last summer, has made important progress since late Oct. 2012," U.S. Web site "38 North" said in a posting, referring to the launch pad.

Satellite imagery of the location confirmed that measures are underway to "possibly modify it in preparation for an upcoming test of a liquid-fueled rocket," the posting said.

For the upcoming test, the country may launch a KN-08 long-range missile or another version of the Unha rocket, which the country launched in December last year, the Web site said, citing media speculations.

38 North also said that "imagery of the new launch pad and support buildings indicate that Pyongyang will be able to test rockets perhaps three to four times the size of the Unha when construction is completed, possibly in 2016."

Pyongyang's rocket program may be receiving assistance from Iran, 38 North claimed, citing a new flame trench covering to protect large rockets from gas exhaust at the North launch pad, which the Web site said is similar to the covering used at a new launch pad at the Semnan Launch Complex in Iran.

The Tonghae launch ground is one of the North's two major launching locations. It was used when the country launched the Taepodong-1 missile in 1998 and the Unha rockets in 2006 and 2009.

The country used its west coast launch ground, also known as Tongchang-ri, for the launch of two rockets last year.

Meanwhile, after receiving heavy flak for the Feb. 12 test of a nuclear bomb, the North said it plans to take further actions, which could include the launch of more rockets or another nuclear test.

[trebb]

I don’t know why the DPRK thinks they are so hot. Imagine if the Japs put all their time into making cool weapons instead of cool toys. You think that’s a pokemon? Guess again. The South Koreans are no push overs either.

"Civilized" people don't act, they react. And in this topsy-turvy world, they then show restraint to ensure that the bad guys get multiple chances.

[Campion]

Re-reading your post again ... 50 km is only 80,0000 feet. You could stand directly under a 10kt airburst at 80,000 feet and suffer no ill effects whatsoever, as long as you didn't look directly at the flash without eye protection.

To get EMP effects at all, the detonation altitude would need to be closer to 500 km. I'm sure that a 10 KT device would cause measurable effects, but "lights out in the US forever" would require much higher yields.

[Captain PJ]

I used to think an EMP reset would be a bad thing, now I wonder!

[AmericanInTokyo]

Move Vandenberg AFB high altitude intercept and destroy assets wit Japanese Government approval, to the US Air Base at Misawa in northern Japan. Then preposition for a SHOOT DOWN of DPRK's missile as it ascends over the Sea of Japan toward a Pacific Ocean prior to or during or immediately after stage separations. I say, this time, dont just roll out the PAC-3 and Aegis ships and be in a defensive high alert mode, Inform them that we are going "offensive", and it WILL BE SHOT DOWN, UNDER AUTHORITY OF U.N. RESOLUTIONS. Otherwise, they will NOT stop!! I believe as an act of self defense, Japan need not even have to revise its Article 9 in the Constitution to do this. Certainly a bilateral agreement (under a decent US President), could be made with Tokyo quickly. If not, position the assets to Hawaii or Midway Islands and shoot the DPRK ICBM missile or warhead down from there. ENOUGH TALK AND SCOLDING THEM, ,AND WARNING THEM THEY WILL BE ISOLATED IN THE WORLD COMMUNITY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT GIVE A CRAP ABOUT BEING "ISOLATED". THESE EMPTY PLEAS BY OBAMA ET AL FALL ON DEAF NORTH KOREAN EARS

[TigerLikesRooster]

They should not announce it. Just move in and act if their rocket blasts off. They will know anyway. Russians and Chinese are not blind. They will pick up U.S. movements and demand to know what is going on. Then just answer them, "We are doing what is necessary. You won't suffer any damage from this. Now go home."

Somehow Zero in charge, I doubt that this will happen. I also doubt that it would not have happened under Bush II with Condi and Jong Hill running the show.

[rdl6989]

Here we go again. And now for Susan Rice to do the usual drill.

[GeronL]

maybe Russian nuclear bombers can come and watch too?

[SevenofNine]

Hey Tiger today or tommrowo is Chia Pet birthday OH How sweettttt

LOL!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/9874784/North-Koreans-remember-Kim-Jong-il-on-late-leaders-71st-birthday.html

[SevenofNine]

Hey Tiger today or tommrowo is Chia Pet birthday OH How sweettttt

LOL!

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/9874784/North-Koreans-remember-Kim-Jong-il-on-late-leaders-71st-birthday.html