N.Korean Missile Train on the Move

Chosun Ilbo ^ | Jun. 17, 2009 07:37 KST

[maquiladora]

A special North Korean train which transported a long-range rocket or intercontinental ballistic missile to a launch site in Tongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province in May recently moved from a missile research center in Sanum-dong, Pyongyang to another launch site in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province, a South Korean government source said Tuesday.

South Korean and U.S. authorities believe the North may have transported a second intercontinental missile to the launch site. The North launched a long-range rocket from Musudan-ri on April 5, which had also been transported by special train.

Seoul and Washington are wondering whether the North will launch two long-range missiles from both launch sites at the same time or whether the train is just a smokescreen to confuse watchers.

North Korea has threatened to launch another missile in protest against UN sanctions over its nuclear test. It apparently has three to four intercontinental ballistic missiles, and may be keeping one or two more at the research center in Sanum-dong.

[maquiladora]

ping

[SIDENET]

[jhpigott]

??????

plot thickens

[maquiladora]

2 ICBMs to avoid embarrasment if one fails? Maybe two different models? Maybe something more than a test?

[COBOL2Java]

I guess that satellite broadcasting Kim Jong Il’s favorite songs is getting ronery...

[GOPJ]

What do you think is happening here?

[Rebelbase]

I hear the train a comin’; it’s rollin’ ‘round the bend,
And I ain’t ate no Kimchi since I don’t know when.
I’m stuck in Pyongan Province and time keeps draggin’ on.
But that train keeps on rollin’ on down past North Hamgyong...

[SevenofNine]

Is that FED EX truck for Little Kim little delievery LOL!

[ConservativeMan55]

bttt

[jhpigott]

“2 ICBMs to avoid embarrasment if one fails? Maybe two different models? Maybe something more than a test?”

let’s hope the former rather than the latter

[Cindy]

Previously...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/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

[Cindy]

SNIPPET from post no. 1:

"It apparently has three to four intercontinental ballistic missiles, and may be keeping one or two more at the research center in Sanum-dong."

[Cindy]

http://sitrep.globalsecurity.org/articles/090617390-north-koreas-nuclear-and-missi.htm

“North Korea’s Nuclear and Missile Tests and Six-Party Talks: Where Do We Go From Here?”
Posted by Scott Snyder on 06/17/2009

[Cindy]

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/dprk

#

stepping back to June 3, 2009:

Photo

QUOTE:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/dprk/html/tongchang-ni_launchpad_dg_090603.htm

Pong-Dong-Ni Missile and Space Launch Facility
Tongchang-Ni
Tongchang-ni Launchpad Overview

New imagery as of 3 June 2009 of the launch site at Tongchang-ni shows that the umbilical tower and movable launch pad appear to be operational.
Image Credit: DigitalGlobe.

[Cindy]

http://www.globalsecuritynewswire.org/gsn/nw_20090617_5686.php

“North Korean ICBM Delivery Train Makes Trip to Known Launch Site”
Wednesday, June 17, 2009

(Jun. 17) -

SNIPPET: “North Korea is thought to be designing an improved version of its Taepodong 2 long-range missile, which is intended to be able to reach U.S. territory . The North’s last missile test, in April, sent a Taepodong about 1,860 miles — farther than a 2006 missile experiment, but not nearly far enough to hit Alaska. Pyongyang has claimed the April test was a peaceful satellite launch.”

[TigerLikesRooster]

Probably they are practicing their age-old shell game to keep their adversaries off guard.

[Cindy]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,527020,00.html

“Report: N. Korea May Fire ICBM Toward Hawaii”
Thursday, June 18, 2009
KCNA via KNS/AP

June 15:
TOKYO —

SNIPPET: “The missile, believed to be a long-range Taepodong-2 with a range of up to 4,000 miles, would be launched from North Korea’s Dongchang-ni site on the northwestern coast, said the Yomiuri daily, Japan’s top-selling newspaper. The report cited an analysis by the Japanese Defense Ministry and intelligence gathered by U.S. reconnaissance satellites.”

[Cindy]

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2009/06/18/0401000000AEN20090618003200315.HTML

NorthKorea
2009/06/18 11:28 KST
“N. Korea accuses South Korean military of raising tension”

SEOUL, June 18 (Yonhap)

#

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/northkorea/2009/06/17/0401000000AEN20090617005800325.HTML

NorthKorea
2009/06/18 10:56 KST
“NORTH KOREA NEWSLETTER NO. 59 (June 18, 2009)”

*** INTER-KOREAN RELATIONS

“N. Korea Demands Steep Wage, Rent Hikes from S. Korea at Joint Venture”

SEOUL (Yonhap)

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274240/posts

DPRK ‘may launch missile toward Hawaii’ / Govt. studying interception over Aomori
Yomiuri Shimbun ^ | Jun. 18, 2009
Posted on June 18, 2009 2:43:42 AM PDT by maquiladora

A long-range ballistic missile North Korea is believed to have been preparing to launch from its Tongchang-ri facility in the country’s northwest highly likely will be launched toward Hawaii, which would take it over Aomori Prefecture, according to analysis by the Defense Ministry.

Sources said the ministry also believes such a launch will be made as soon as early next month.

Based on the analysis and intelligence gathered by U.S. reconnaissance satellites, the ministry has moved into top gear its study on optimally deploying Aegis-equipped destroyers equipped with Standard Missile 3 (SM-3) interceptor missiles and ground-to-air Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) missiles.

(snip)

The ministry said it believes North Korea is likely to launch a missile sometime between July 4 and 8, because the 1996 launch of the Taepodong-2 missile took place on the July 4 U.S. Independence Day (July 5 Japan time) and July 8 falls on the anniversary of the 1994 death of former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung.

At the missile launch base in Kitteryong on the country’s eastern coast, preparations are under way to launch a Rodong missile, which can target all of Japan, as well as a new medium-range missile, according to sources.

Therefore, the ministry is considering starting preparations to intercept missiles based on the possibility North Korea launches missiles from all three bases simultaneously.

(Excerpt) Read more at yomiuri.co.jp ...