Satellite images show more NKorea preps for rocket launch

North Korea’s launch declaration came just weeks after it conducted its fourth nuclear test. The North said its planned launch is an effort to send a satellite into orbit, but outside governments suspect it’s a banned test of ballistic missile technology.

The latest estimate from US intelligence expects the North Korean missile launch to occur as early as Monday in a window between Feb 8-10.

This report includes material from The Associated Press.

“It is safer to pull off the launch as soon as possible considering the instability of the liquid fuel”, said a missile expert, citing that North already loaded fuel into a rocket.

The South is also prepared to shoot down any rocket or debris that infringes on its territory, the defense ministry said, although security experts believe the country’s Patriot missiles, with an interception range of about 15 kilometers (9 miles), would be ill-equipped for the job.

That doesn’t mean the North has starting filling a rocket with fuel, but is probably a preparatory step.

Ahead of the notification, the U.S. Pacific Command called on North Korea to refrain from “irresponsible provocations”, responding to its move to fire a long-range rocket.

Despite Pyongyang’s bellicose claims to the contrary, the North is still seen as being years away from developing a credible inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM).

“The leaders emphasized the importance of a strong and united worldwide response to North Korea’s provocations, including through an impactful UN Security Council Resolution”.

The launch will surely amplify calls by the USA and South Korea for more stringent trade and financial sanctions against North Korea.

“We are aware of North Korea’s announcement of their rocket launch and are closely monitoring the situation”.

Earlier in the day, Defense Minister Han Min-koo visited an Aegis-equipped destroyer tasked with immediately detecting North Korea’s long-range rocket in case of a launch, his ministry said.

Predictions of an imminent launch have been bolstered by recent satellite images of fuel tankers at the Sohae satellite launch complex in northwestern North Korea.

Officials for the International Maritime Organization and the International Telecommunications Union each told CNN that North Korea informed their respective organizations that it intends to launch a satellite.