Rocket ready for launch as NK ignores warnings
Source: Agencies |
April 9, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
North Korean space officials have moved all three stages of a long-range rocket into position for a controversial launch, vowing yesterday to push ahead with their plan in defiance of international warnings against violating a ban on missile activity.
Foreign news agencies, including The Associated Press, were allowed a firsthand look at preparations under way at the coastal Sohae Satellite Station in northwestern North Korea.
North Korea announced plans last month to launch a communications satellite using a three-stage rocket during celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung. Engineers said yesterday that the satellite will orbit Earth and send back data for weather forecasts and crop surveys.
The United States, Japan, Britain and other nations have urged North Korea to cancel the launch, warning that firing the long-range rocket would violate United Nations resolutions and North Korea's promise to refrain from nuclear and missile activity.
North Korea maintains the launch is to showcase its scientific achievement.
Experts say the Unha-3 rocket, due for liftoff between April 12 and 16, could also test long-range missile technology that might be used to strike the US and other targets. North Korea has tested two atomic devices, but is not believed to have mastered the technology needed to mount a warhead on a long-range missile.
Yesterday, reporters were taken by train to North Korea's new launch pad in the hamlet of Tongchang-ri in North Pyongan Province, about 50 kilometers south of the border town of Sinuiju along North Korea's west coast.
All three stages of the rocket were seen in position at the launch pad. Fueling will begin soon, Jang Myong Jin, general manager of the satellite station, told reporters.
He said preparations were well on track for liftoff and that international space, aviation and maritime authorities had been advised of the plan, but did not provide exact details on the timing of the fueling or the mounting of the satellite.
Japan and South Korea, meanwhile, say they are prepared to shoot down any parts of the rocket that threaten to fall in their territory - a move North Korea's Foreign Ministry warned would be considered a declaration of war.
The satellite will send back images and information that will be used for weather forecasts as well as surveys of North Korea's natural resources, Jang said. He said the launch site was chosen to avoid showering neighboring nations with debris.
Two previous satellites, also named Kwangmyongsong, or Bright Shining Star, were experimental, but the third will be operational, he said.
Meanwhile, China's foreign minister said China was concerned by the launch plan and has urged more diplomacy.
Yang Jiechi said he discussed the plan during talks with his counterparts from Seoul and Tokyo in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo yesterday.
"The Chinese side is concerned by the developments and strongly encourages everyone involved on all sides, at high and low levels, to remain calm and reasonable," Yang told reporters. "These issues need to be worked out in a diplomatic and peaceful manner."
Foreign news agencies, including The Associated Press, were allowed a firsthand look at preparations under way at the coastal Sohae Satellite Station in northwestern North Korea.
North Korea announced plans last month to launch a communications satellite using a three-stage rocket during celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the birth of North Korean founder Kim Il Sung. Engineers said yesterday that the satellite will orbit Earth and send back data for weather forecasts and crop surveys.
The United States, Japan, Britain and other nations have urged North Korea to cancel the launch, warning that firing the long-range rocket would violate United Nations resolutions and North Korea's promise to refrain from nuclear and missile activity.
North Korea maintains the launch is to showcase its scientific achievement.
Experts say the Unha-3 rocket, due for liftoff between April 12 and 16, could also test long-range missile technology that might be used to strike the US and other targets. North Korea has tested two atomic devices, but is not believed to have mastered the technology needed to mount a warhead on a long-range missile.
Yesterday, reporters were taken by train to North Korea's new launch pad in the hamlet of Tongchang-ri in North Pyongan Province, about 50 kilometers south of the border town of Sinuiju along North Korea's west coast.
All three stages of the rocket were seen in position at the launch pad. Fueling will begin soon, Jang Myong Jin, general manager of the satellite station, told reporters.
He said preparations were well on track for liftoff and that international space, aviation and maritime authorities had been advised of the plan, but did not provide exact details on the timing of the fueling or the mounting of the satellite.
Japan and South Korea, meanwhile, say they are prepared to shoot down any parts of the rocket that threaten to fall in their territory - a move North Korea's Foreign Ministry warned would be considered a declaration of war.
The satellite will send back images and information that will be used for weather forecasts as well as surveys of North Korea's natural resources, Jang said. He said the launch site was chosen to avoid showering neighboring nations with debris.
Two previous satellites, also named Kwangmyongsong, or Bright Shining Star, were experimental, but the third will be operational, he said.
Meanwhile, China's foreign minister said China was concerned by the launch plan and has urged more diplomacy.
Yang Jiechi said he discussed the plan during talks with his counterparts from Seoul and Tokyo in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo yesterday.
"The Chinese side is concerned by the developments and strongly encourages everyone involved on all sides, at high and low levels, to remain calm and reasonable," Yang told reporters. "These issues need to be worked out in a diplomatic and peaceful manner."
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