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This satellite image provided by GeoEye and taken Mar. 11, 2009 shows Musudan-ri launchpad (lower right) and assembly building (upper right) in northeastern North Korea. /AP
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North Korea has installed a rocket on the launch pad in Musudan-ri, North Hamgyong Province. The launch has expected in early April.
A South Korean government official on Wednesday said a U.S. reconnaissance satellite on Tuesday detected a missile installed on the launch pad at the launch site in Musudan-ri. "Technically, it'll be possible to launch it in three or four days," he added.
Experts had predicted the North would install the projectile on the launch pad this coming weekend at the earliest given the lead time because it had notified international organizations of a plan to launch what it says is an experimental communications satellite between Apr. 4 and 8.
But the official said it seems unlikely that North Korea will change the launch date given expected repercussions from the international community.
It is not confirmed yet whether the missile is of the same type as the Taepodong-2 which it launched in 2006, or whether it is an improved, longer and larger version of the earlier missile. The missile is reportedly a 33 to 35 m-long three-stage rocket. Its maximum range is believed to be 7,000 to 8,000 km.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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