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Satellite imagery shows North Korea readying for rocket launch

The U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Affairs has analyzed satellite imagery of North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Station, concluding that "North Korea is now ready to move forward with another rocket launch."

By JC Finley
A model of the "Unha-9" missile on display at a floral exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea, in July 2013. (CC/VOA News/Steve Herman).
A model of the "Unha-9" missile on display at a floral exhibition in Pyongyang, North Korea, in July 2013. (CC/VOA News/Steve Herman).

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Station appears to be readying for a rocket launch, a U.S. think tank reported Thursday.

According to the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins' School of Advanced International Affairs, satellite imagery of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in August and September indicates that a year-long construction project to upgrade the facility has been completed.

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"With the completion of work, North Korea is now ready to move forward with another rocket launch should a decision be made in Pyongyang to do so. If such a decision were to be made soon, a rocket could be launched by the end of 2014," imagery expert Nick Hansen concluded in his analysis published on the 38 North website.

Satellite imagery indicated rocket motor tests were conducted in August and September. Although it's unclear whether they were successful, Hansen points out that "rocket motor tests are typically conducted prior to full-scale test launches of a missile that precede a weapon becoming operational."

With regard to the type of rocket Pyongyang may be preparing to launch, Hansen speculates: "The most likely candidate remains the Unha-3 SLV, last tested in December 2012, since a much larger rocket, reportedly under development, is at least several years from becoming operational."

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South Korea is monitoring the situation, an unnamed South Korean Defense Ministry official said. "Our military is observing closely all activities regarding the situation of construction and possibility of a missile launch at the North Korean Sohae Launching Site."

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