North Korea had assembled all three stages of its latest long-range rocket on the launch pad at Dongchang-ri in Cheolsan County, North Pyongan Province. The South Korean government says it observed workers pulling out from the launch site this morning.
It is presumed that engineers will now install instruments for observation and measurement, before the projectile is fueled later this week. Launches normally take place between one and three days after the missile is fueled.
In the meantime, the South Korean government is striving to build opposition to the launch in cooperation with the U.S. and Japan. The three countries are focusing on deterring the launch at the moment, while simultaneously considering the kind of tough response that will come if, or far more likely when, the launch takes place.
South Korea’s Six-Party Talks point man Lim Sung Nam told reporters after meeting with U.S. counterpart Glyn Davies on Tuesday, “We have agreed to put maximum diplomatic effort into trying to deter North Korea from launching its missile.”
“Both countries agreed that North Korea’s missile launch is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions and a challenge to the international community,” he added.
