North Korea likely to launch long-range missile ‘abruptly’

The analysis comes just three weeks after North Korea drew worldwide condemnation for conducted its fourth nuclear test explosion.

Pyongyang sparked global alarm earlier this month after it claimed to have successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

Multiple outlets on Thursday cited government officials warning that intelligence and satellite imagery indicated that the Asian nation could be making preparations for a new launch. “The indications are that they are preparing for some kind of launch”, a United States official said according to AFP.

Japan has shown its concern when reported recent activity at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, this Thursday morning.

North Korea last launched a long-range ballistic missile in December 2012, claiming it was to put a satellite in space, a claim the global community did not buy.

On Jan 6. North Korea held a nuclear test to the ire of the United Nations Security Council, which may soon tighten sanctions in response to the incident.

Mr Nakatani, asked in a press briefing whether Japan would shoot down any North Korean missile, said: “We will take steps to respond, but I will refrain from revealing specific measures given the nature of the situation”.

In September, the director of North Korea’s National Aerospace Development Administration said the agency was “pushing forward at a final phase the development of a new Earth observation satellite for weather forecasting”, according to a report by the state Korean Central News Agency.

No statements were released by Kim Min-seok, spokesman for the Defense Ministry of South Korea, on the possible launch preparations of North Korea at the Sohae satellite launch facility.

The Japanese government has ordered the Self-Defence Forces to prepare for the shooting down of North Korean ballistic missiles in the event that any are launched, government sources said on Friday.

The new legislation places additional sanctions on Pyongyang and individuals who engage in money laundering, counterfeiting or the import into North Korea of any goods or technology that supports the North Korean government.

The official, Choi Son-Hui, was a former deputy head of delegation to the long-stalled six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear programme, involving the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States.

“As the North conducted the latest nuclear test in a hit-and-run manner without notifying China or the USA, we assess that it could similarly stage a major provocation in the future”.

The comments were followed by a report from a North Korea-monitoring website that confirmed a range of low-level activities at the reclusive East Asian country’s main long-range rocket launch site.

The UN Security Council has been working on a new sanctions resolution on North Korea.