Korea, US step up monitoring ahead of NK rocket launch

South Korea and the United States have increased their surveillance activities to closely monitor North Korea’s preparations for a rocket launch scheduled for later this month, a senior military source in Seoul said Monday.

After Pyongyang on Saturday announced its decision to launch a rocket carrying a “working satellite” between Dec. 10 and 22, Seoul and Washington have deployed satellites and spy planes to monitor the Dongchang-ri launch site in the North’s northwestern tip.

“We are closely monitoring North Korea’s missile preparations,” a senior military official said, requesting anonymity. “South Korean and U.S. forces will fully utilize intelligence assets until the North Korean military fires off a long-range rocket.”

The U.S. has deployed Cobra Ball surveillance planes, which are used to observe ballistic missile flights at long range, to a Japanese Air Force base in Okinawa.

Although the North said its rockets are used to put satellites into orbit for peaceful purposes, much of the world suspects the launch is a cover for testing long-range missile technology.

“A rocket booster was moved to an assembly line in Dongchang-ri launch site for assembling and inspection, though (the booster) has yet to be erected on a launch pad,” the official said. “It takes about a week to set up a three-stage rocket on a launch pad and supply fuel.”

For the time being, however, the Combined Forces Command will maintain “Watchcon 3” surveillance status, a condition for normal defense situations, the official said.

It will be the North’s second launch attempt under leader Kim Jong-un, who took power following his father Kim Jong-il’s death nearly a year ago. The first launch in April ended in failure.

The planned test will take place close to South Korea’s presidential election on Dec. 19 and the first anniversary of former leader Kim Jong-il’s death on Dec. 17, sparking speculations over the communist state’s intentions behind the launch. <The Korea Times/Yonhap>