North Korea Positions Missile On Launch Pad

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea has positioned what is believed to be a Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile on its launch pad at a facility in Musudanri, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday, citing "sources close to Japan-U.S. relations."

Asked about the report, a U.S. counter-proliferation official told Reuters: "I'm not going to steer you away from what's been reported."

The Pentagon declined to comment.

"I can't comment on specific intelligence matters," said U.S. Army Colonel Gary Keck, a Pentagon spokesman.

North Korea has said it would launch a satellite between April 4 and April 8.

Regional powers see the launch as a disguised test of its longest-range missile and a violation of U.N. sanctions forbidding the reclusive state from firing ballistic missiles.

North Korea has given international agencies notice of the rocket's planned trajectory that would take it over Japan, dropping booster stages to its east and west.

Analysts said the notice was given to help the North argue the rocket launch does not violate U.N. sanctions put in place after it test-launched a series of missiles in 2006.

Experts have said North Korea would need seven to 10 days preparation once the rocket was on the launch pad before it could be fired. It is visible to spy satellites once it has been removed from an assembly facility and placed on the pad.

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