OPINION:
North Korea may possibly be ready to launch another ballistic missile from its Tongchang-ri test site. This news was leaked from the Japanese government to Japan’s Kyodo news agency, reported Sky News. The conclusion was drawn from activity at the location gleaned from Japanese satellite images of the area.
This comes on the heels of American and Chinese displeasure at recent nuclear tests by North Korea which seems to be resulting in some type of joint condemnation at the United Nations shortly, although China refuses to incorporate further sanctions against North Korea in the diplomatic action.
A South Korean government official told the Yonhap news agency that steady activity has been observed at the missile site, with rails set up to quickly move parts for rocket assembly and eventual launch.
American defense officials have been looking at ways to bolster U.S. missile defense capability in the pacific theater to guard against missile launches against the homeland from North Korea. According to Reuters, U.S. Navy Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said he supported the conversion of an Aegis missile defense test site in Hawaii into a facility ready to bolster U.S. defense against a ballistic missile attack.
The U.S. and South Korea are also in discussions regarding a joint missile defense capability on the Korean peninsula to counter North Korean threats.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.