In a fresh sign of defiance, Kim oversaw a ground test of a new rocket engine and ordered a satellite launch preparation, North Korean state media said Tuesday, an indication the country might soon conduct a prohibited long-range rocket launch – possibly to coincide with the 71st founding anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party which falls October 10. Those, combined with an uptick in missile tests this year, have raised fears that Pyongyang is making faster-than-expected progress toward its stated goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile that could reach the USA mainland.
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Kim was quoted as ordering officials and scientists to complete preparations for a satellite launch as soon as possible, amid “the enemies’ harsh sanctions and moves to stifle” the North.
On September 13 two B-1 bombers were escorted by USA and South Korean fighter jets in a show of solidarity with Seoul.
A satellite image dated September 17 provided to Reuters by 38 North, a Washington-based website devoted to analysis of North Korea, showed preparations for an engine test, including a heavy crane over the vertical engine test stand and a shelter that would house the rocket engine.
Two US supersonic bombers have flown over South Korea in a show of force the US said was aimed at reminding Pyongyang of its powerful military assets in the region. The supersonic bombers had made a sortie from the USA air base in Guam.
North Korea has been hit by five sets of United Nations sanctions since it first tested a nuclear device in 2006, but has insisted it will continue, come what may.
“China took part in the unanimously-adopted UNSC Resolution 2270 [adopted in March] and has consistently revealed the position that it will faithfully implement the resolution”, said Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy spokesperson Sun Nahm-kook in a briefing in Seoul on Tuesday.
South Korea’s top diplomat tells The Associated Press that North Korea’s repeated flouting of U.N. Security Council resolutions by conducting nuclear and missile tests calls into question its suitability for membership of the world body.
NorthKorea earlier this month fired three missiles that flew about 1,000 km (600 miles) each and in August tested a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) that global experts said showed considerable progress.
Over the past year, the country has carried out several long-range missile tests within its space program that the United Nations and others believe to be a cover for ballistic-missile and rocket testing.
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The Sohae center is the North’s newly upgraded rocket station where the February satellite launch and other rocket tests have been conducted.
