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Blast slows NK Missile Tests
(via Command Post)A US spy satellite monitored a strong explosion that rocked North Korea's test site for ballistic missiles in November last year, according to South Korean reports. Washington had passed information concerning the explosion to South Korean military authorities, the Yonhap news agency said today. The blast occurred during a missile engine test and crippled operations and facilities at North Korea's missile launch site at Musudan-ri, Hwadae county, north-east of Pyongyang, Seoul's Chosun Ilbo newspaper said. Well, no wonder they were showing restraint on testing missiles...they couldn't launch...DOH! The launch site in North Hamgyong province has been closely monitored by US spy satellites since Pyongyang sent shockwaves around the world by test-firing a Taepodong long-range ballistic missile that flew over Japan and into the Pacific in 1998. Chosun said the November explosion caused extensive damage and had been delaying the development and test launch of North Korea's Taepodong missiles. Quality control is Job According to South Korean defence ministry data, North Korea is currently testing Taepodong-1 missiles with a range of 2500km and is also developing a longer-range Taepodong-2. Taepodong-2 could be capable of reaching parts of the continental United States. People's republics of Berkley or Santa Monica or Seattle? North Korea launched at least two short-range land to ship missiles off its coasts in February and March, sparking speculation that it would test fire another ballistic missile. Remember all the curiousity on the these? that's all they could launch, now we know why North Korea, which is locked in a nuclear standoff with the United States, has indicated that Japan's recent spy satellite launch would free it from its commitment to a testing moratorium. If they fix their site earlier, they would've launched earlier. They don't feel constrained by treaties and agreements At a summit between the leaders of Japan and North Korea in September last year, North Korea pledged to extend its moratorium on ballistic missiles beyond 2003. More recently, it has vowed to boost its military strength, fearing a pre-emptive US military attack to snuff out its suspected nuclear arms ambitions. Snuff out more than that Posted by: Frank G 2003-04-21 |
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