North Korea Continues Conducting Missile Tests

Why Did North Korea Launch 6 Missiles In 3 Days? -- Steven Borowiec, Christian Science Monitor

The launches may be more an effort to get attention and test weaponry rather than actually provoke the region, following the end of the joint South Korea-US military exercises last month.

On Monday North Korea launched missiles into the East Sea for the third straight day, showing that it may be looking to further develop its military capabilities or grab international attention at a time when inter-Korean tensions had appeared to be cooling.

Today’s two launches follow three on Saturday and one on Sunday. However, because the move comes at a time of relative calm on the Korean Peninsula, analysts say it is likely that the North is testing new weaponry, rather than deliberately attempting to provoke the US or South Korea.

“If North Korea had carried out the launches when South Korea and the US were holding their joint military exercises, then that could have been interpreted as a threat to the South, the US, or the international community. But since they launched them now, when things are otherwise calm, they’re probably testing new technology,” says Paik Hak-soon, director of the Center for North Korean Studies at the Sejong Institute just outside of Seoul.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Conducting Missile Tests

SKorea: NKorea fires short-range weapon for 3rd day; Pyongyang says tests deterring Seoul, US -- Washington Post/AP
North Korea Launches Missiles for 3rd Straight Day -- New York Times
Pyongyang Fires More Missiles -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea fires more projectiles into the sea off its east coast, South says -- CNN
North Korea fires sixth missile in three days -- Reuters
North Korea Fires 6th Missile in 3 Days -- Voice of America
South Korea says North Korea fires sixth projectile into waters -- FOX News

North Korea Conducts Missile Test

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched on Saturday three short- range missiles into the Sea of Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing South Korea's defense ministry on May 18, 2013. This file photo taken on Nov. 23, 2012 shows the Sohae Space Center located in Cholsan County, North Phyongan Province, DPRK. (Xinhua)

DPRK launches 3 Short-Range Missiles -- Xinhuanet

SEOUL, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday launched three short-range guided missiles into the Sea of Japan, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing South Korea's defense ministry.

It is reported that the defense ministry detected two missiles launched in the morning and the last one was in the afternoon.

The defense ministry said the launching might be a training or a test launch, according to their observation, and that South Korea is keeping in a high level of readiness to any threat.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Conducting Missile Tests

North Korea fires short-range missiles into Sea of Japan -- The Australian/AFP
SKorea Says NKorea Fires 3 Short-Range Missiles -- ABC News/AP
North Korea fires three short-range missiles -- Reuters
N Korea 'fires three short-range missiles' -- BBC
North Korea fires short-range missiles -- The Telegraph
North Korea Fires Missiles Into Sea -- Wall Street Journal
S. Korea Says North Launches 3 Short-Range Missiles -- New York Times
North Korea Fires 3 Short-Range Missiles as South Watches -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea launches short-range missiles -- Al Jazeera
North Launches 3 into East Sea -- Daily NK
N. Korea launches three short-range guided missiles: defense ministry -- Yonhap News (South Korea)
N. Korea fires three short-range missiles into East Sea -- Arirang News (South Korea)
S.Korea on Standby After North Launches 3 Missiles - Seoul -- RIA Novosti

Did North Korea Just Blink?

North Korea Halts Missile Launch Preparations -- Asahi Shimbun

North Korea has stopped work on preparing for the launch of a medium-range Musudan ballistic missile, according to government sources in Japan, the United States and South Korea.

Although the U.S. military has also temporarily eased back from being on high alert, the three nations will continue to keep a wary eye on Pyongyang as it is deemed likely that it will continue with its provocative actions in the medium to long term.

The sources said that from about April 20, intelligence units have been unable to intercept radio signals that North Korea had been transmitting on a test basis in preparing for a missile launch. The signals include telemetry signals transmitted by the Musudan missiles to ground bases that would track its course, as well as radar waves used for communications control within the ground base.

Read more ....

Update: Sources: North Korea pauses ballistic missile preparations -- Japan Daily Press

My Comment: If true .... this is a surprising development. Is it because of China? Internal North Korean politics? Technical problems? Your guess is as good as mine .... but I am not going to read too much into this (for now). On the ground .... North Korea is still going to launch their large-scale air and land exercises.

Update: North Korea's missile capabilities -- CNN

North Korea Prepares For A Missile Launch

North Korea Moves Two More Missile Launchers: Report -- Reuters

(Reuters) - North Korea has moved two short-range missile launchers to its east coast, apparently indicating it is pushing ahead with preparations for a test launch, a South Korean news agency reported on Sunday.

South Korea and its allies have been expecting some sort of North Korean missile launch during weeks of heightened hostility on the Korean peninsula.

An unidentified South Korean military source told the South's Yonhap news agency that satellite imagery showed that North Korean forces had moved two mobile missile launchers for short-range Scud missiles to South Hamgyeong province.

"The military is closely watching the North's latest preparations for a missile launch," the source said.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Preparing For A Missile Launch

North Korea moves missile launchers to east coast -- UPI
N. Korea Missile Launchers: 2 New in Place -- Epoch Times
North Korea 'moves missile launchers' -- Al Jazeera
North Korea Moves Two More Missile Launchers To East Coast -- RTT News
Two Scuds deployed to North Korea's east coast -- RT
Two more Scud missile launchers moved to N. Korea's east coast: source -- Yonhap News

South Korea, Japan, And The U.S. Are All On North Korean Missile Watch

 

 North Korean Missile In Upright Firing Position, Official Says -- CNN 

 (CNN) -- North Korea has raised at least one missile into its upright firing position, feeding concerns that a launch is imminent, a U.S. official told CNN Thursday.

 This comes amid another round of daily tough talk from the North. A government agency is quoted by the state-run media as saying that "war can break out any moment."

 So far, South Koreans -- who've heard the cross-border bombast before -- are taking the swagger in stride. Washington regards much of the North's saber rattling as bluster.

 But no one is taking any chances as the daily clamor of threats from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's government shows no sign of letting up.

Read more .... 

 More News On North Korea Preparing For A Missile Launch 

  South Korea and U.S. on missile watch as North hails Kim dynasty -- Reuters
South Korea Bracing for North Korean Missile Test 'Anytime Soon' -- ABC News
U.S. and South Korea Put Forces on Alert for Missile Test by North -- New York Times
South Korea Expects North's Missile Test by Monday -- Voice of America
US, S. Korea Remain on Heightened Alert -- Voice of America
North Korea missile test could happen at any time, Pentagon and South Korean officials say -- FOX News
Seoul on Alert to Missile Test by North -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea 'inputs target coordinates into warheads' -- The Telegraph

North Korean Missile Launch Site Located

North Korea Launch Zone Found -- Washington Free Beacon

Spy agencies spot launch sites for N. Korean missiles.

U.S. and allied intelligence agencies have identified the launch zone on North Korea’s east coast where Pyongyang’s military is set to fire a salvo of missiles that risk being shot down by U.S. missile defenses in the region.

The North Koreans recently began fueling two road-mobile Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles located along the east coast between the cities of Wonsan and Hamhung, according to intelligence officials.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in addition to the 2,500-mile-range Musudans the North Koreans could conduct test firings of several 620-mile-range Nodong missiles and shorter-range Scuds simultaneously as a way to thwart U.S. missile defenses.

Read more ....

My Comment: I suspect that U.S. and allied intelligence agencies have known about this site for a very long time.

U.S. Officials Believe North Korea Will Launch A Missile Within 24 Hours

 

U.S. Believes North Korea Could Test Fire Missiles At Any Time -- CNN Washington 

(CNN) -- The Obama administration believes North Korea has most likely completed launch preparations and could test fire mobile ballistic missiles at any time based on the most recent intelligence, a U.S. official said.

A test launch of one or both of missiles thought to be loaded into mobile launchers could happen without North Korea issuing a standard warning to commercial aviation and maritime shipping, according to the official. The official declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the information.  

Read more ....

Update #1: North Korea to 'launch missile TOMORROW' after warning foreigners to evacuate South -- Express UK  

Update #2: U.S. official: North Korea could fire at any time -- CNN  

My Comment: After the missile test experts believe that tensions on the Korean Peninsula will be ratcheted downwards .... but I am not too sure this time.

South Korea Expects A North Korean Missile Test This Week

Source: Sources: GlobalSecurity.org, CIA World Factbook, USA TODAY research. Kevin A. Kepple and Joan Murphy, USA TODAY

South Korea Expects Missile Launch by North -- New York Times

SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean government warned on Sunday that the North might launch a missile later this week, while a top military leader postponed a scheduled trip to Washington, citing escalating tensions on the peninsula.

The warning by Kim Jang-soo, director of national security for President Park Geun-hye, came three days after the South Korea’s defense minister said that the North had moved to its east coast a missile with a “considerable range” but not capable of reaching the mainland United States.

The missile was widely believed to be the Musudan, which the South Korean military says can travel “more than” 3,000 kilometers or 1,864 miles. But South Korean media and analysts say the missile can extend its range to 4,000 kilometers or 2,490 miles, which would put American bases in Guam within its reach.

Read more ....

More News On South Koran Expectations That North Korea Will Conduct A Missile Test This Week

S. Korea: N. Korea may be preparing to test missile -- USA Today/AP
Seoul believes Kim may test a missile this week -- CNN
North Korea Might Launch Missile on Date of Founder's 101st Birthday -- ABC News Radio
Growing fears that North Korea actually has the technology to launch nuclear missiles -- Herald Sun
As prospect of North Korea missile launch rises, some question US response to threats (+video) -- Ariel Zirulnick, Christian Science Monitor

My Comment: South Korean intelligence is actually very good on North Korea. Their assessment of a North Korean missile test is probably right.

Another Missile AND Nuclear Test In North Korea?

A missile is fired during a drill at an undisclosed location in this picture released by North Korea's official KCNA news agency March 20, 2013. Voice of America

North Korea May Be Planning A Nuclear Test And Missile Launch - Reports -- The Australian

LATEST: NORTH Korea is showing "signs'' of preparing a fourth nuclear test, South Korean Unification Minister Ryoo Kihl-Jae has said, with reports of stepped up activity at its main atomic test site.

"There are such signs,'' Ryoo told a parliamentary committee hearing when lawmakers asked him to confirm the reports.

A South Korean government source had earlier tipped off the Joong Ang Daily newpaper that the North was preparing the site.

This comes on the heels of the South’s defence ministry reports that Pyongyang could perform a mid-range missile test-launch by Wednesday – also the deadline it has given to foreign diplomats to evacuate, as their safety would reportedly no longer be guaranteed by the government.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea May Be Planning A Nuclear Test And Missile Launch

N. Korea May Conduct Missile-Nuclear Tests: South -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea ‘is preparing for fourth nuclear test’ -- The Times
North Korea May Be Preparing New Nuclear Test:Report -- Reuters
SKorea: 'Indication' NKorea prepping for nuke test -- Houston Chronicle/AP
North Korea preparing nuclear test, South Korea says -- BBC
North Korea 'preparing new nuclear test' -- Sydney Morning Herald
Report: North Korea readying for fourth nuclear test -- YNet News
North Korea Could Launch Missile This Week - Report -- RIA Novosti
S Korea: North May Be Preparing Missile Launch -- Voice of America
South Korea Prepares for Possible North Korea Missile Test Launch -- ABC news

North Korea Preparing For Another Missile Test

(Click on Image to Enlarge)

Commence Countdown to Launch -- Washington Free Beacon

Intelligence: North Korea set to conduct intermediate-range missile test.

North Korea appears to be preparing for a test launch of a new intermediate-range ballistic missile that would further heighten tensions in the region following an underground nuclear test earlier this month.

Test preparations for the launch of a road-mobile Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile were spotted recently by U.S. intelligence agencies.

Signs at a remote missile base include indicators of fueling for the road-mobile Musudan missile, classified as an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), said officials familiar with intelligence reports.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is not their biggest missile .... but the North Koreans are sending out a message.

North Korea Deceived U.S., Allies Before Launching Rocket

This picture received from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 12, 2012 shows the rocket Unha-3, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, being monitored on a large screen at a satellite control center in North Korea.

U.S. Official: North Korea Likely Deceived U.S., Allies Before Launching Rocket -- CNN

North Korea likely engaged in a deliberate campaign of deception before a December 12 long-range missile launch, catching the United States and its Asian allies "off guard," according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of analysis of the incident conducted by U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

The official told CNN that American and Japanese military ships and missile defenses were fully operational and protecting land, sea and airspace on December 12, but that the launch was a surprise when it actually happened.

"We had our dukes up, operationally, but we were caught off guard," the official said.

Read more ....

My Comment: I was surprised by the North Korean missile launch .... but it is true .... those who are paid to observe and watch North Korea were lax on this one.

North Korean Satellite Is Most Likely Dead

Astronomers Say North Korean Satellite Is Most Likely Dead -- New York Times

The North Korean satellite launched into space last week appears to be tumbling in orbit and is most likely dead, astronomers are reporting. The evident failure will not cause the spacecraft to fall quickly back to earth but seems to represent a major blow to the North’s portrayal of the launching as a complete triumph.

“It’s spinning or tumbling, and we haven’t picked up any transmissions,” said Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astronomer who tracks rocket launchings and space activity. “Those two things are most consistent with the satellite being entirely inactive at this point.”

Read more ....

More News On North Korea's Missile Test

North Korean Satellite May Be Malfunctioning -- Voice of America
North Korean satellite may already be dead -- CBS/AP
North Korean satellite appears dead: scientist -- Sydney Morning Herald
North Korea's satellite a dud, say US astroboffins -- The Register
Astronomer says malfunctioning North Korea satellite could stay in orbit for years -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: This confirms my earlier opinion that this was not a satellite test .... it was a missile/rocket test.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Puffs On A Cigarette As He Oversees His Country's Rocket Launch

Conference: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) talks with officials at the General Satellite Control and Command Center before the launch of the Unha-3 rocket

This Looks Like Another Job For 007: Looking Like A Bond Villain, North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Puffs On A Cigarette As He Oversees The Rocket Launch That Has Terrified The World -- Daily Mail

* Success comes eight months after leader Kim Jong Un was publicly humiliated when a satellite launch ended in failure
* North Korean state media said Kim himself issued the order to fire rocket

Leaning casually on the table with a cigarette in one hand as he watches his country’s satellite soar into space, Kim Jong Un’s pose is oddly familiar.

Worryingly familiar, in fact – for it lends him a distinct resemblance to Dr No, the original Bond villain.

North Korea’s rocket launch on Wednesday earned Kim virtual global condemnation, alienating even long-standing allies such as China and Russia, while reports in the US suggested that the spacecraft might be ‘tumbling out of control’.

Read more ....

My Comment: There is a lot of cool pics in this post.

Top U.S. Officials On Asia Were Partying When North Korea Launched Their Missile

Obama’s Asia Team Caught Off Guard, Partying When Rocket Launched -- Foreign Policy

The Obama administration's Asia team was caught so off guard by North Korea's Dec. 11 rocket launch, several of them actually had to put down their drinks and suddenly leave a holiday party being held in honor of the Japanese emperor's birthday.

Several top U.S. officials dealing with Asia and North Korea from the State Department, the Pentagon, and the National Security Council were relaxing Tuesday night at the Japanese ambassador's Nebraska Avenue residence in Washington when the news came over their blackberries that North Korea had launched another Unha-3 rocket with a "satellite" attached, this time with much more success than a previous attempt in April.

Read more ....

My Comment: This person was on the job.

North Korea`s Rocket Launch -- News Roundup

This photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean technicians monitoring the launch of an Unha-3 rocket carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, or Shining Star-3, into orbit on Wednesday. KCNA, via Reuters

Mysteries Swirl Around North Korea's Satellite Launch -- Christian Science Monitor

The US believes North Korea's satellite is out of control, but the South Koreans insist that it is functioning normally.

US and South Korean officials appear to disagree on one detail of the North Korean satellite that has nothing to do with any difference over what to do about it.

No sooner had major American television networks spread the word from their official sources that the satellite was “out of control” than South Korea’s defense ministry came out with just the opposite view.

Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok, briefing South Korean reporters, told them that, “for the time being,” the satellite is “working normally.”

Read more ....

More News On North Korea's Rocket Launch

North Korean satellite 'orbiting normally' after rocket launch -- The Guardian
Confusion over North Korean 'satellite' amid US claims object is 'tumbling out of control' -- The Independent
North Korea's satellite orbiting normally, South Korea says -- CBS/AP
Key points on North Korea's launch of a satellite -- AP
North Korea to Continue Satellite Launches - Leader -- RIA Novosti
Rocket Launch Shows North Korea's Advance -- Wall Street Journal
N. Korean Missiles Don't Threaten US Yet, Analysts Say -- Voice of America
NKorea Still Years Away From Reliable Missiles -- Time/AP
International Community Considers Response to N. Korean Rocket Launch -- Voice of America
North Korea rocket launch prompts international condemnation -- The Guardian
South Korea wants more sanctions against North over rocket -- Euronews
After Rocket Launching, a Call for New Sanctions -- New York Times
China Calls for "Moderate" Response to North Korean Rocket Launch -- Voice of America
China watching Korean security closely -- UPI
Courageous North Korean Satellite an Honor to Proud North Korean People! -- Juli Weiner, Vanity Fair
What should U.S. do about North Korea launch? -- Jason Miks, CNN

Another U.S. Intelligence Failure?

U.S. Failed To Predict North Korea Rocket Launch -- CBS News

(CBS News) North Korea, a hermit dictatorship that cannot always feed its people, has become the 13th nation to orbit a satellite. The success of Wednesday night means the nuclear armed nation has a rocket capable of reaching as far as the United States.

U.S. intelligence failed to detect signs the North Korean launch was imminent.

Officials insist that made no difference in the ability of the American missile defense system to track the rocket as it jettisoned its first stage in the Yellow Sea as planned, and its second in the Philippine Sea before boosting what the North Koreans say is a weather satellite into polar orbit.

Read more ....

More News On The Intelligence Community Failing To Predict North Korea's Rocket Launch

North Korea Totally Embarrassed The Intelligence Community -- Business Insider
US Failed To Predict North Korea Rocket -- International Business Times
(NK rocket) Lawmakers rebuke S. Korean defense chief over intelligence capability -- Yonhap News
U.S.: North Korean missile launch earlier than expected -- CNN
North Korea Can Still Surprise Everyone -- Wall Street Journal

My Comment: I must confess .... I was surprised when I heard that the North Korean's conducted their  missile test .... and I am one who follows very closely these developing news stories.

North Korean 'Satellite' Is 'Tumbling Out Of Control'

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

  
North Korean Satellite 'Tumbling Out Of Control,' US Officials Say -- NBC 

The object that North Korea sent into space on Wednesday appears to be “tumbling out of control” as it orbits the earth, U.S. officials told NBC News. The officials said that it is indeed some kind of space vehicle, but they still haven’t been able to determine exactly what the satellite is supposed to do. In a statement, the White House said the rocket launch was a highly provocative act that threatens regional security and violates U.N. resolutions. The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday condemned the launch, calling it a "clear violation" of U.N. resolutions. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he "deplores" the launch.  

Read more ....    

My Comment: I have trouble believing that North Korea has the capabilities to assemble a proper functioning satellite .... this was a missile/rocket test whose sole purpose was to extend North Korea's missile capabilities to hit long distance targets

 Update: One Small Step for Kim: North Korea Inches Closer to an ICBM -- Danger Room .

North Korea Successfully Launches A Long-Range Rocket

North Korea Defies Warnings To Launch Rocket -- BBC

North Korea says it has successfully launched its rocket in defiance of international warnings.

The rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.

North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space.

South Korea, the US and Japan have condemned the launch as a banned test of long-range missile technology.

Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Reports suggested this could take place later on Wednesday.

The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea's Successful Missile Test

N. Korea launches rocket: Live Report -- AFP
NKorea springs surprise with rocket launch -- AP
North Korea successfully launches long-range rocket -- CBS/AP
North Korea says it sucessfully launched controversial satellite into orbit -- NBC
North Korea launches a long-range rocket -- Washington Post
North Korea Launches Rocket in Defiance of Sanctions -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea Claims Success in Rocket Launch -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea defies West with second firing of long-range rocket -- L.A. Times
North Korea carries out controversial rocket launch -- CNN
N. Korea Launches Long-Range Missile -- ABC News
North Korea Launches Long-Range Rocket, Claims Satellite in Orbit -- Voice of America
North Korean rocket launch succeeds -- The Guardian
DPRK says it successfully launched controversial long-range rocket -- Xinhuanet
United Nations Security Council to meet after North Korea says rocket launch a success, satellite in orbit -- The Australian
North Korea launches long-range rocket, UN to discuss sanctions -- The Australian
Defiant North Korean rocket launch gives Kim Jong-un a boost -- Christian Science Monitor
China raps N. Korea over rocket launch -- The International News
Tokyo protests against North Korean rocket launch, calls for UN consulatation -- Washington Post/AP

North Korea Delays Rocket Launch

North Korea Extends Rocket Launch Window To December 29 -- Voice of America

North Korea said Monday that engineers have found a technical problem in the controversial rocket and have extended the window until the end of December. The rocket would put a satellite in orbit, and had been set to launch as early as this week.

"Scientists found a technical deficiency in the first-stage control engine module of the rocket carrying the satellite and decided to extend the launch period up to Dec. 29,'' the KCNA news agency quoted a space agency spokesman as saying.

Read more ....

More News On North Korea Delaying It's Rocket Launch

North Korea extends launch window for rocket after technical problems -- CNN
North Korea extends rocket launch window due to "technical problems" -- Reuters
North Korea says it’s extending launch period for long-range rocket by a week to Dec. 29 -- Washington Post/AP
North Korea Extends Rocket Launch Window By One Week -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea says it is extending rocket launch window for a week to Dec. 29 -- FOX News
North Korea Extends Rocket Launch Window -- Wall Street Journal
Technical Glitch Delays Rocket Launching, North Korea Says -- New York Times

U.S. Navy Positions Ships To Monitor North Korea's Missile Test

US Moves Warships to Track North Korean Rocket Launch -- Voice of America

PENTAGON — The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral Samuel Locklear, says the U.S. is moving warships to track a rocket that North Korea expects to launch.

North Korea announced last week that it plans to try again to launch a long-range rocket soon, despite warnings from the United States and others for it not to do so.

The U.S. military says it plans to watch closely. The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral Samuel Locklear, told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday that a number of ships equipped with advanced ballistic missile systems are being relocated to track the rocket.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Navy Positioning Naval Assets To Monitor North Korea's Missile Test

U.S. warships moving to monitor North Korea's planned rocket launch -- Reuters
US moves warships to track North Korea rocket launch -- BBC
U.S. Deploys Ships to Monitor North Korea Rocket Launch -- Bloomberg Businessweek
U.S. Navy positions ships to monitor North Korea launch -- CNN
U.S. Military to Monitor for Rocket -- New York Times
U.S. Monitors Possible North Korean Rocket Launch -- US Department of Defense