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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 ...
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2274602/posts
Analysts: NKorea’s chemical arms as grave as nukes
AP/Yahoo News ^ | 6/18/09 | JAE-SOON CHANG
Posted on June 18, 2009 12:14:52 PM PDT by Kartographer
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea’s massive stockpile of chemical weapons is as threatening as its nuclear program, analysts said Thursday, highlighting an aspect of the secretive regime’s pursuit of weapons of mass destruction that is rarely talked about.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...