Posted on 04/10/2012 11:28:25 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
North Korea says fuel being injected into rocket
(Reuters) - Isolated North Korea said on Wednesday it was injecting fuel into a long-range rocket "as we speak" ahead of a launch condemned by its neighbors and the West as a disguised long-range ballistic missile test.
The launch, set to take place between Thursday and next Monday, has prompted neighbors such as the Philippines to re-route their air traffic just in case. Regional powers also worry it could be the prelude to another nuclear test, a pattern the hermit state set in 2009.
Japan said it would shoot down the rocket if it crossed its airspace.
The launch of the Unha-3 rocket, which North Korea says will merely put a weather satellite into space, breaches U.N. sanctions imposed to prevent Pyongyang from developing a missile that could carry a nuclear warhead.
It coincides with the 100th birthday celebrations of the founder of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, whose grandson, Kim Jong-un, now rules. Kim Il-sung died in 1994.
It will also follow Wednesday's annual Workers' Party Congress which is expected to appoint Kim Jong-un as Secretary General of the Workers' Party of Korea, North Korea's top post held by his late father, Kim Jong-il.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Interesting article http://lewis.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/5140/north-koreas-upcoming-launch
Not much of a clean room environment they have there.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.