US official: Korea readies long-range missile capable of reaching US; test possible in week
By Pauline Jelinek, Gaea News NetworkMonday, June 1, 2009
US official: NKorea readies missile, test possible
WASHINGTON — A U.S. official says North Korea is readying an advanced missile capable of reaching the United States, and that Pyongyang appears to be preparing to test it.
The official is confirming a report from South Korea’s Yonhap news agency that says satellite images and other intelligence indicate the North has transported its most advanced long-range missile to a launch site.
The U.S. official spoke on condition of anonymity because the issue involves intelligence. He says the missile was moved by train, but he did not comment on where it was moved to. Yonhap says it went to the new Dongchang-ni facility near China.
The news agency also says Pyongyang could be ready to fire it within the next week. But the U.S. official says it could take longer than that.
Tags: Asia, East Asia, North America, North Korea, United States, Us-us-koreas-nuclear, Washington, Weapons Administration
