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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272673/posts
N.Korean Heir Apparent Linked to Assassination Plot (Kim Jon-Il #3 son tries to kill #1 son)
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 06/16/09 | Chosun Ilbo
Posted on June 15, 2009 10:56:55 PM PDT by AKSurprise
Close aides of Kim Jong-un, the 26-year-old third son and heir apparent of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, last week attempted to assassinate the leader’s first son Jong-nam, KBS reported Monday citing Chinese government sources.
Aides to Kim Jong-un planned to assassinate Jong-nam, who lives in Macau, after first eliminating his close aides in North Korea. The sources said, “It seems they tried to assassinate Kim Jong-nam without telling Kim Jong-il.”
The plan was foiled when the Chinese government found out about it early last week. “The Chinese government warned North Korea to stop the assassination attempt, and sent intelligence and military officers to Macau and spirited Kim Jong-nam to a safe place,” the sources said.
In protest against North Korea’s nuclear test and the assassination plan, China reportedly shelved all collaboration projects with North Korea such as developing natural resources and building infrastructure, part of projects celebrating the “China-North Korea Friendship Year.” The sources said China also delivered a message that it would halt food and fuel assistance if North Korea continues its provocations.
The sources said the reason China was protecting Kim Jong-nam is because he has been developing friendships with high-ranking Chinese officials for a long time. KBS said Kim Jong-nam is likely to weigh option of seeking asylum in China.
NEW THREAD:
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2272682/posts
N.Korean Launch Pad ‘Ready for Missile Test’
Chosun Ilbo ^ | 06/16/09
Posted on June 15, 2009 11:24:56 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
N.Korean Launch Pad ‘Ready for Missile Test’
A satellite image taken on June 3 shows part of what analysts says is a new long-range missile base in North Korea.
North Korea has finished preparatory work at a missile launch pad in Tongchangri, North Pyongan Province, where a long-range missile has been transported, a South Korean government source said Monday. “But the launch is not imminent because no radar has been set up and no missile has been installed at the launch pad,” the source added.
But the launch structure connecting electric power and fuel to the missile and allowing personnel to check the missile has been erected. That means North Korea is speeding up preparations to launch a long-range missile there.
Expert analysis of satellite photos shows the launch structure is about 50 m high, much higher than the 30 m it had previously been believed to be. A launch pad of this height is capable of firing an intercontinental ballistic missile measuring 40 m or longer.
The old launch pad at the Musudanri launch site in North Hamgyong Province is a mere 32m high. The whole Tongchangri launch site actually seems to be three times as large.
But experts are still divided on when and what kind of missile the North will fire, the source added. There is a likelihood that North Korea will conduct a third nuclear test in resistance to the UN Security Council’s adoption last week of a resolution sanctioning it over the last one.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are watching for signs of another nuclear test, having spotted constant moves of personnel and vehicles in the Punggyeri area in Kilju-gun, North Hamgyong Province, where it conducted the first and second nuclear tests.
South Korean and U.S. intelligence services are watching two or three locations as possible candidate sites for another nuclear test. The likeliest candidate site is the eastern mine pit area of Mt. Mantap in Punggyeri, where the first nuclear test in October 2006 happened.