North Korea may deploy ICBM if it succeeds in launching a long-range missile

North Korea may deploy ICBM if it succeeds in launching a long-range missile. September. 19, 2015 07:02. ddr@donga.com.

Military authorities in South Korea and the U.S. view that North Korea is highly likely to launch a long-range missile at its satellite launching station in Tongchang-ri in North Pyongan province to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Worker’s Party of Korea on Oct. 10.

 

A high-ranking official of the South Korean government, who is visiting the U.S. to discuss on resolution of North Korea’s nuclear program, said at a meeting with correspondents in Washington, “Based on analysis of North Korea’s announcements, it seems likely to launch a long-range missile. We are paying keen attention to the fact that the location is Tongchang-ri station. It seems that North Korea has completed expansion constructions of the launching station.” The official added, “North Korea has shown a pattern in which it launches missiles, the U.N. takes measures, and North Korea carries out a nuclear test blaming the U.N’s measures. This time could be an exception, but both authorities in South Korea and the U.S. see that North Korea is likely to test a long-range ballistic missile pretending it is a satellite.”

 

About a possibility for China to put pressure on North Korea, the official said, “China also expressed clear objection to North Korea’s announcement to hint launching a missile. When and what message China has sent to North Korea is not an issue that South Korea can mention. But China expresses strong objection in a clear message to North Korea’s any action to violate the resolution of the U.N Security Council.”

 

Meanwhile, KimJang-soo, the South Korean ambassador to Beijing, testified in the parliamentary inspection held on Sep. 18 in the South Korean embassy in Beijing, China, that Tongchang-ri satellite launching station is capable of launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a maximum range of 15,000km, if its expansion construction is completed. “North Korea seems ready to launch an ICBM,” said the ambassador.

 

Ambassador Kim added, “I’m not saying based on detailed indications. But North Korea has repeatedly said it could launch a long-range missile when it made a decision. And the communist regime delivered a similar message this time, too.”

 

When asked if he agrees with the view that North Korea may deploy an ICBM for an actual battle if it successfully launches a long-range missile this time, Ambassador Kim said ‘yes.’ Ambassador Kim also added China would agree with the U.N.-wide decision to impose sanctions on North Korea if North Korea successfully launches a long-range missile.