A satellite image of North Korea’s nuclear reactor in Yongbyon taken on September 29, 2004. The picture was released on U.S military news source Global Security’s homepage. /Courtesy of Global Security FM Vows ‘Clear’ Response to N.Korea Missile Launch I Say Satellite, You Say Missile Cheering N.Korea All the Way to a Missile Launch N.Korea’s Missile Plans ‘Thwarted by Weather’ N.Korea Unlikely to Have Fueled Missile: NIS N.Korea Hints It May Halt Missile Launch for Talks Seoul, Beijing Agree N.Korea Must Halt Missile Launch U.S., N.Korea ‘to Meet One-on-One if N-Talks Resume’

Speaking at the White House, Bush said he made it clear to South Korea, Japan, China and Russia that they need to send a strong and united message to North Korea. "This launch is provocative, and I was pleased to hear that the Chinese have delivered that message to the North Koreans and we would hope that the leader in North Korea would listen to the Chinese," Bush said.

According to U.S. intelligence reports, fuel tanks have been spotted at the launch site in a remote part of North Korea's east coast, but they say it is difficult to conclude from satellite photos if fueling is actually taking place. Experts say it is extremely difficult to reverse that process, meaning a launch is practically certain once the fueling is completed.

Pyongyang has said it wants to hold direct talks with Washington, but the U.S. insists the missile issue should be discussed within the six-country framework dealing with the North’s nuclear program.

Arirang News