North Korea moves forward start of rocket launch period

“On the launch schedule of earth observation satellite ‘Kwangmyongsong, ‘ I have the honour to inform you that the reserved launch date has changed to 7-14 February 2016”, Jon wrote in a letter to the International Maritime Organization, the body responsible for safety at sea.

The North informed the International Maritime Organization and other related agencies on Tuesday that it would attempt a satellite launch between February 8 and 25.

The areas where debris would fall remain unchanged.

These statements point to the danger that the launch could be used to stage a provocation by shooting down the rocket, supposedly in self-defense.

When the launch was originally announced, the U.S. Navy positioned a guided-missile destroyer based in Japan to shoot down the rocket if it is believed to be a threat. Any launch would now take place before the Feb 16 birthday of late leader Kim Jong-Il, the father of current leader Kim Jong-Un.

Japan’s Kyodo news cited government sources as saying North Korea had brought forward the start of the launch period and may start it on Sunday.

US officials have said the same type of rocket used to launch the satellite could deliver a nuclear warhead.

Mr Obama and Mr Xi also said they would coordinate efforts to respond to North Korea’s nuclear test last month and said they would not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapon state. As for the issues triggered by the 4th nuclear test carried out by North Korea, they are now under discussion among the relevant members of the UN Security Council.

A South Korean university student wearing a mask depicting North Korean leader Kim Jong Un participates in a rally against North Korea’s announcement that it had tested a hydrogen bomb in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016.

Recent commercial satellite imagery analyzed by US researchers showed tanker trucks at the launch pad at North Korea’s Sohae facility, which likely indicates the filling of fuel and oxidizer tanks in preparation for the launch.

While the US wants to impose tough sanctions on North Korea, China, another permanent council member and a traditional ally of North Korea, does not want to make Pyongyang feel as though it has been backed into a corner. After a senior Beijing envoy visited Pyongyang this week, Foreign Minister Wang said China had told North Korea it did not want anything to happen that would further raise tension.

They agreed that North Korea’s planned ballistic missile test would contravene multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions and represent another provocative and destabilizing action.

Outside countries have long tried to control North Korea through economic sanctions, but those seem to have done little to rein in the reclusive nation.