Replies

Rodong-1 = South Korea
Rodong-2 = Japan
Taepodong-1 = Guam, Hawaii and Alaska
Taepodong-2 = continental U.S. west of a line running from Chicago to El Paso
Taepodong-3 = all of CONUS

It was on an earlier thread, but a 1999 Congressional Task Force determined at the time that the TD-3 was deployable and was capable of carrying an appropriately-sized nuclear warhead. RD-1 and RD-2 were developed in the 1980s (they are glorified SCUDs). TD-1 was flight tested in the early 90s and TD-2 on 8/31/98.

All of the above is like debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin, as North Korea has been paid off (with American taxpayer money) not to test these weapons since 1998. So, it is a guess as to whether advanced computer modeling and extensive foreign assistance can compensate.

The Rumsfeld Commission in 1998 determined that the answer to this question is "yes".

All of the continental U.S. has been in range of North Korean missiles (and their biological, chemical, and nuclear warheads) for several years.

But that is only my opinion. I am not qualified to assess the probability that they will work correctly.

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/040924/kyodo/d85a57200.html

Saturday September 25, 1:04 AM

Rodong missile units seen on move in N. Korea's northwest

Information from U.S. reconnaissance indicates that a number of military vehicles carrying medium-range Rodong missiles have been on the move in the northwestern part of North Korea, sources close to Japan-U.S. relations said Friday. The information, mainly obtained through radio transmissions and U.S. surveillance satellites, comes as the Japanese government is becoming convinced that North Korea is preparing an engine-combustion test for a new missile in the northeast of the country, the sources said. The Japanese government believes these moves "are unlikely to lead to a missile launch," one government source said. As for the series of developments in the northeastern part of the country on the Sea of Japan side, the Japanese government is almost certain they are related to the combustion test, the sources said. But to make sure, Japan is continuing with surveillance and also analyzing the intelligence to study why North Korea has chosen this moment to move the missile transporters in the northwest of the country on the Yellow Sea side. A Rodong missile has a range of between 1,300 and 1,500 kilometers and can strike practically anywhere in Japan. The military vehicles were seen at a Rodong missile unit station near Shinori in North Pyongan Province, the sources said. Earlier this week, Japanese and U.S. officials determined from satellite images and other information sources that large numbers of military vehicles carrying Rodong missiles, soldiers and communication equipment have been entering and leaving missile silos, the sources said. They believe that is a part of an exercise for the missile unit. Meanwhile, preparations for the engine-combustion test have been taking place at a missile-testing site near Musudanri in North Hamgyong Province. Based on their analysis, the officials have ascertained that liquid-fuel tanker trucks and equipment used in past tests had been brought together, they said. The United States suspects that North Korea may conduct a combustion test for a modified Soviet-made submarine-launched ballistic missile, SSN6, although Washington has not explained the basis for the analysis to Japan, the sources said. The new midrange missile has a range of between 3,000 and 4,000 km, they said. The missile-testing facility was destroyed in an explosion during a failed test of a Taepodong-2 long-range missile in 2002 and reconstructed in July last year, the sources said. North Korea has conducted combustion tests three or four times in a year. So far this year, it has conducted two tests, both in April, they said. The Japanese and U.S. governments had believed North Korea is preparing for a combustion test since they caught a series of moves last week.

http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=korea/v=2/SID=e/l=NSR/R=22/*-http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040924/pl_afp/us_skorea_iraq_troops_040924140651

US warns of heightened risk of terror attacks in South Korea

Fri Sep 24,10:06 AM ET

(snip)

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has warned of heightened risk of terror attacks and violent action on American government facilities and personnel in South Korea following Seoul's dispatch of troops to Iraq

South Korea's defense ministry announced on Wednesday it had completed the deployment of around 2,800 troops on a relief and rehabilitation mission to northern Iraq. They will be reinforced by another 800 soldiers in November. The announcement followed a media blackout on the troop deployment which began with a secret airlift on August 3, preceded by protest rallies by South Korean anti-war activists. . . .

The advisory issued through the embassy's warden system as a public service to all US citizens in South Korea said "terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. "These may include facilities where US citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, including residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, and public areas." The advisory said that South Korean police authorities had increased the number of security personnel protecting US government facilities. Additionally, US Forces Korea (USFK) command elements have implemented a series of enhanced security measures at USFK bases to include increased police patrols, random car stops and more robust screening of visitors to the base. American citizens and their family members were strongly encouraged to maintain a high-level of personal security awareness, especially in areas where large numbers of American citizens congregate.