North Korea may be preparing for rocket launch

Satellite imagery analysis suggests North Korea may be preparing a long-range ballistic missile launch, Japan’s Kyodo News reported Thursday, citing a Japanese government source.

Satellite imagery suggest the trigger-happy Kim Jong-un may be preparing to conduct a ballistic missile launch from the Dongchang-ri launch site, in the country’s northwest.

The report came as the worldwide community discusses fresh sanctions against Pyongyang for conducting its fourth nuclear test on January 6.

The North has said it is pursuing technology to reach the continental USA and that it is working on a miniaturized nuclear bomb that it could fit into a missile warhead.

South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense neither confirmed nor denied the report on Thursday and said if the North did fire a long-range missile, it would be done “in an abrupt manner” without prior notice. North Korea describes it as a place where the country launches satellites into space.

Kerry also briefed Kishida on the USA secretary of state’s earlier talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, where Kerry pressed China to use more of its leverage over North Korea as its most important backer.

Pyongyang said the blast was a miniaturized hydrogen bomb, but experts have largely dismissed the claim.

North Korea goes to great lengths to protect its military activities from satellite scrutiny, including building an underground railway to hide the material and components it transports to the Sohae complex.

The North is already under sanctions for its nuclear and missile programmes, while China and the USA are both calling for a new United Nations resolution against Pyongyang.

Conclusions at TASS’ articles said that there are no facts that confirm that North Korea is indeed dealing with ballistic missiles but research is still in progress.

The U.S. has six ballistic missile defense ship in Japan and two radars which can detect missile launches.

The spokesman reminded that before test-firing ballistic missiles Pyongyang has to announce closure of the area where vessels and aircraft are prohibited for security concerns.

“It’s not a secret the United States believes very strongly that China has a particular ability because of its special role and its connections to North Korea, an ability to be able to help us significantly to resolve this challenge”, Kerry said.

North Korea is gearing up to test a long-range rocket, according to Kyodo, a Japanese news agency.

The White House had said at the time that the initial analysis of the test showed not consistent with a successful hydrogen bomb detonation.

Other observers have noted that North Korea has not yet issued a maritime shipping alert – a standard procedure it has adhered to with previous long-range tests.