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North Korea has transported a missile to a launch site in Musudan-ri on the east coast using a special covered cargo carriage to make it difficult to track, intelligence agencies claimed Thursday.
This 40m-long special cargo carriage is double the length of an ordinary carriage and said to be capable of carrying the first and second-stage rockets and components of the Taepodong-2. But South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies cannot say how large the missile is.
They assume that North Korea is now assembling the missile at the launch site in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province and could test-launch it at the earliest on Feb. 25, the first anniversary of President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration.
A South Korean official said, "The Taepodong-2, which has been transported to the launch site in Musudan-ri recently, has not been seen near the launch pad yet. We assume that they are currently assembling the first and second-stage rockets."
The missile only has to be moved to the launch pad, raised to vertical position, and filled with liquid fuel once the first and second-stage rockets are assembled. Given the time needed, it is unlikely that it will be ready for Feb. 16, leader Kim Jong-il's birthday.
Spying equipment has also recorded unusually busy activity at the site.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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