Missiles and Missile Accessories

On 15 April 2012, during a military parade commemorating the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth, six (6) transporter erector launchers [TELs] ferried six new mobile missiles through KIS Square, which have been dubbed the KN-08.  Some observers have claimed that the missiles paraded through Pyongyang were showpieces.  Markus Schiller and Robert Schumucker wrote:

The question is now if these mock-ups were modeled after a real design that is still hiding behind the curtain, or if the whole presentation was staged just for show, to celebrate Kim Il Sung’s 100th birthday and to gain some strategic leverage.

Judging from other insights about the North Korean missile program, the latter seems more likely. Nonetheless, close monitoring of future developments is advised.

Only once a North Korean ICBM lifts off the pad for the first time, as a proof of concept for the design’s functionality, the development work really starts. After that, it will take many years and many, many flights to arrive at a deployable and operational ICBM force, since the development of a modern ICBM is extremely demanding. To put things into perspective: The development of the Soviet/Russian Topol-M ICBM is said to have cost 142.8 billion Rubles (in 1992 prices – at that time, the Ruble exchange rate was around one US Dollar). Looking at the Musudan missile’s “development history” – not a single launch –, and considering North Korea’s poor situation in every dimension, it seems unlikely that this first launch will ever happen.

For now, the ICBM presentation was nothing else than a nice dog and pony show.

Nick Hansen writing on 38 North offers a different analysis:

While some analysts have also concluded that the missile’s warhead—about 2.5 meters long and tapered—is fake, it actually resembles that found on the Nodong-A medium range missile already fielded by the North. Even if it is not an operational weapon, the real warhead will likely be about the same length and diameter. This conclusion is based on the dimensions and shape of the transporter’s erection arms and its front brush guard. The erection arms run parallel with the missile’s sides and are attached to the clamp that holds the missile in place when traveling. The brush guard provides protection to the warhead during off-road operations and outlines its shape.

There are other considerations that point to the displayed missiles as part of a process to develop a new weapon. For example, the serial numbers painted on the side of each missile indicate that the missiles come from two production series. The small differences in those missiles indicate that flaws may have been discovered and improvements made, indicating an ongoing process of development. Also, the KN-08 TEL was real and clearly specifically designed for this missile, representing a significant investment of time, effort, and money. Finally, while analysts who believe the missile was fake have argued that the KN-08, if liquid fueled, would not suitable for a land mobile launcher, they neglect the fact that the North already has an operational liquid fueled missile: the Nodong-B, which is 17 meters long, only a few meters shorter than the KN-08.

In summary, the KN-08 missiles observed in the April 15th parade may, in fact, be part of a developmental process for fielding a new three stage liquid fueled missile with a longer-range than the Musudan. Whether it will eventually be able to achieve the 10,000 km range of an ICBM is to be seen. That will depend, not just on further developments in DPRK missile technology, but also on the weight of the warhead that it will carry and, particular, whether or not the North will be able to reduce that weight through miniaturization of a nuclear payload.

Prior to the parade that concluded with the KN-08 march, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) delivered a speech in which he addressed the Strategic Rocket Force Command, along with the KPA’s three conventional military services and the Korean People’s Internal Security Force.  On 2 March 2012 DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un inspected the Strategic Rocket Force Command.  Prior to the SRFC’s creation, administration and command of KPA ballistic missile units resided with the Ballistic Missile Training Guidance Bureau (a.k.a. Artillery Guidance Bureau; Missile Bureau) and operational planning and control from the Operations Bureau, both directly subordinate to the KPA General Staff.

Daily NK reported on 19 April, four days after the parade, that SRFC represents a consolidation of the KPA’s missile units and  supply and training bureaus into a unified command organization directly subordinate to the National Defense Commission [NDC] and the KPA Supreme Command.  Prior to the SRFC’s creation, administration and command of KPA ballistic missile units resided with the Ballistic Missile Training Guidance Bureau (a.k.a. Artillery Guidance Bureau; Missile Bureau) and operational planning and control from the Operations Bureau, both directly subordinate to the KPA General Staff.  According to the article,  ”. . .there used to be a rocket corps included in the unit in charge of the whole artillery force, including self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launchers, but it appears now that it was separated.  After Kim Jong Un made the existence of the strategic rocket force known, a new missile of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) class showed up in a military parade. A military source stated, ‘With a diameter of 2 meters and a length of over 18 meters, the firing range of this missile is believed to be longer than that of the medium-range ‘Musudan’ ballistic missile’ (which is approximately 3,000-4,000 km). The emergence of the strategic rocket force is interpreted as North Korea’s will to further devote itself to improving rocket capabilities and developing ICBMs in the future. The United States and international society believe that North Korea’s ICBM technology is still too technically inadequate at atmospheric re-entry and target guidance technology to strike the US mainland.”

Central Leadership Figures Visit Projects

Choe Ryong Hae is briefed about the construction of the Pyongyang Folk Park (L) on 4 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Choe Ryong Hae (3rd R) tours ongoing construction at Rungra Islet in Pyongyang (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported on 5 May (Saturday) that VMar Choe Ryong Hae, director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department (bureau) inspected ongoing construction work at Nungra Island and the Pyongyang Folk Park on 4 May (Friday).  It was Choe’s second reported solo public appearance since his elevation to the National Defense Commission and the Political Bureau Presidium.  KCNA reports:

The project is a giant undertaking to protect from flood the Rungra Pleasure Ground for People whose appearance is changing with each passing day according to the far-reaching plan of the WPK.

When the project is completed, it will help add beauty to the landscape of Rungra Islet and Panwol Islet and provide the people with a centre for a safer and highly civilized cultural and emotional life.

Having received the order of Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un, the solder-builders have made great achievements in carrying out every process of the project in a matter of just 40 odd days since the ground-breaking by displaying popular heroism and matchless devotion.

Going round different sections of the project, the director acquainted himself in detail with the progress made in the construction and the operation of vehicles. He also dropped in at bedrooms of soldier-builders and kitchens to learn about their living.

A consultative meeting took place at the work site.

Cranes at Tanchon Commerical Port (Photo: KCNA)

Crowd assembled for opening ceremony of Tanchon Port (Photo: KCNA)

Meanwhile, DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim spent several days in South Hamgyo’ng Province.  On Thursday (3 May) Choe attended the opening of Tanchon Port.  Among those who traveled out from Pyongyang for the port’s opening were Vice Premier and Chairman of the State Planning Commission Ro Tu Chol and KWP Secretary and Director of the Finance and Planning Department Kwak Pom Gi.  During the 4th Party Conference in April, Ro and Kwak were elected alternate (candidate) members of the Political Bureau.  Kwak was also elected the KWP Secretary and Director of the Finance and Planning Department.  From June 2010 to April 2011, Kwak was chief party secretary for South Hamgyo’ng Province.  KCNA reports:

The construction of the port with a cargo traffic capacity of millions of tons provides a guarantee for greatly contributing to developing the nation’s foreign trade and improving the people’s living standard.

A ceremony for the completion of the construction was held on the spot Thursday.

Present there were Choe Yong Rim, Kwak Pom Gi, Ro Tu Chol and other officials concerned, officials of the Ministry of Land and Marine Transport, builders and working people of industrial establishments in Tanchon City.

Read out there was a joint congratulatory message sent by the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the Cabinet of the DPRK to the officials and members of shock brigades who performed labor feats in the construction of the port.

The message highly praised them for successfully building another giant structure in the era of Songun greatly conducive to building an economic power true to the life-time desires and last instructions of President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il.

It expressed belief that they would perform greater feats in the efforts for the country’s prosperity united close around the WPK Central Committee headed by the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Minister of Land and Marine Transport Kang Jong Gwan, in his speech made for the occasion, said the construction of the port was a brilliant fruition of the wise leadership of Kim Jong Il who initiated the construction of the port and worked heart and soul to translate the desire of the President into a reality till the last moments of his revolutionary life and the clear-sighted guidance and meticulous care of Kim Jong Un.

Speakers at the ceremony pledged themselves to carry out their tasks including dredging in a short span of time in the same spirit as displayed in the construction of the port.

At the end of the ceremony the participants looked round different places of the port.

On the same day, Choe Yong Rim, Ro Tu Chol and other Cabinet officials visited Tanch’o'n Smeltery and the Tanch’o'n Magnesia Factory.  KCNA reports:

He went round the newly built cultural and welfare facilities and construction site of combined fire-proof materials production process.

Looking round the facilities he said that the officials should serve the convenience of the workers on a priority basis and look after their life with care, keeping deep in their minds the dear respected Kim Jong Un’s maxim of loving the people.

He also stressed the need to finish the construction of the fire-proof materials production process in a short period of time and keep the production going successfully by putting the production processes on a modern and scientific basis.

The premier went to the Tanchon Smeltery, which Kim Jong Il gave field guidance in his lifetime.

Touring various places of the Smeltery, he mentioned the need to increase the production of processed goods by introducing advanced technologies, setting up new processes, further heightening the level of technical skills and laying material and technical foundations for the timely and successful dressing of concentrated ores.

At a consultation meeting the premier stressed the need for everyone to turn out in the building of an economic power to register higher production records, remaining true to the noble intention of Kim Jong Il.

DPRK Choe Yong Rim (3rd L) is briefed about production at the Ryongsong Machine Complex in Hamhu’ng, South Hamgyo’ng Province on 4 May 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim tours the Hu’ngnam Fertilizer Complex in South Hamgyo’ng Province on 4 May 2012. Also seen in attendance is Vice Premier Ro Tu Chol (L) (Photo: KCNA)

On Friday (4 May), the same group visited factories in Hamhu’ng.  KCNA reports:

He looked round the February 8 Vinalon Complex, the Hungnam Fertilizer Complex, the Ryongsong Machine Complex, the Hungnam Pharmaceutical Factory and renovated Sinhung Restaurant associated with footprints of leader Kim Jong Il.

Workers in Hamhung City are bringing about a great surge in the drive to build an economic power, true to the behests of Kim Jong Il.

He acquainted himself with the production at the complexes and factory and convened consultative meetings.

The meetings discussed the issues of increasing and stepping up the production of carbide and vinalon as well as fertilizers.

The meetings also took measures for pushing ahead with the production of custom-built equipment including high-performance compressor needed for various fields of national economy, increasing the production of medicines and finishing the renovation project at an early date.

Then, he went round Sinhung Restaurant.

He called on the employees of the Restaurant to perform their mission and role as servants for people, true to the Party’s slogan “We Serve the People!”

Choe Yong Rim tours the 8 February Vinalon Complex (Photo: KCNA)

Choe Yong Rim visits Sinhung Restaurant (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un Attends Shop Opening and Photo-Op

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) applauds after members of the central leadership cut a ceremonial ribbon opening the Mansugyo Meat and Fish shop. Also in this image are VMar Ri Yong Ho (2nd L) and Gen. Kim Yong Chol (C) (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that Kim Jong Un and other members of the DPRK central leadership attended the opening of a butcher-cum-fish monger called the Mansugyo Meat and Fish Shop on Wednesday (25 April).  Also in attendance with Kim Jong Un were Kim Kyong Hui, Jang Song Taek, VMar Choe Ryong Hae, Mun Kyong Dok, Kim Yong Nam,  VMar Kim Jong Gak, Choe Yong Rim, VMar Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yang Gon, Kang Sok Ju, Yang Hyong Sop, Choe Tae Bok, Kim Ki Nam, Gen. Kim Kyong Ok and Gen. Kim Yong Chol.

DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (4th L), KWP Secretary Kim Kyong Hui (2nd R) and KWP Secretary Mun Kyong Dok (2nd R) cut a ceremonial ribbon. Kim Jong Un can be seen watching the ceremony in the background (Photo: KCNA)

KCNA reports:

The Mansugyo Meat and Fish Shop built on the bank of picturesque Pothong River in Pyongyang started its business on Wednesday.

The 3-storey shop covers 5 000 plus square meters.

Its ground floor has counters of fresh and frozen fish and processed fish while the first floor counters of meat including beef, pork, goose, turkey and quail and processed foodstuff.

The second floor has a restaurant serving steak.

The opening ceremony was held on Wednesday.

The dear respected Kim Jong Un appeared at the shop to congratulate its opening.

Attended there were Kim Yong Nam, Choe Yong Rim, Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho and other senior party, state and army officials and officials concerned.

Looking round the interior of the shop, Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction with the solider builders having built the shop to be loved by the people.

He ardently said leader Kim Jong Il would have seen the shop with the highest service level.

He advanced tasks to manage and operate the shop.

He visited the shop construction site in January and indicated the orientation and ways for construction, underlining the need to provide the best convenience to the consumers.

Kim Jong Un inspects a refrigerator case. Also in attendance are VMar Choe Ryong Hae (R) and Gen. Kim Kyong Ok (2nd R), who is a member of the Party Central Military Commission and deputy director of the KWP Organization Guidance Department (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un’s presence at the ribbon cutting and tour of the premises established the shop’s opening as a #1 event.  However, KJU was not observed cutting the ceremonial ribbon in front of the shop’s entrance; instead the ribbon was cut by his aunt, Kim Kyong Hui (party secretary for light industry) and Mun Kyong Dok, Pyongyang KWP Secretary, among others.  This activity (or lack thereof) contrasts with his cutting the ceremonial ribbon to open the KPA Arms and Equipment Exhibition.  This indicates that Kim Jong Un still has a passive public role on economic affairs, while retaining an active role in security and military matters.

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) gestures at a fish tank. Gen. Kim Yong Chol is at the left (Photo: KCNA)

With recent statements by the KPA Supreme Command excoriating and threatening South Korean political leaders, the prominent position of Gen. Kim Yong Chol at KJU’s side may incite queasiness in some Pyongyang watchers.  Gen. Kim heads the Reconnaissance General Bureau, whose mission is anti-ROK military and intelligence operations.

Kim Jong Un was also reported as having attended a commemorative photo session with the personnel involved in the construction of the KPA Arms and Equipment Exhibition.  The photo-op was KJU’s last reported public appearance.  KCNA reports:

Kim Jong Un waved back to the soldier-builders enthusiastically cheering him, overcome with excitement, and extended a warm salute to them.

He warmly congratulated them and had a photo taken with them.

He repeatedly praised them for their laudable exploits, noting that they successfully built the exhibition as a gift to leader Kim Jong Il, greatly contributing to adding shine to the Songun revolutionary exploits performed by the great persons of Mt. Paektu, helping the service personnel of the KPA and people deeply grasp the history of the army of the WPK and thus encouraging them in their efforts to build a thriving socialist nation.

Kim Jong Un expressed belief that the solider-builders would make a positive contribution to the cause of building a thriving nation by fully displaying patriotic devotion and popular heroism in the defence of the country and socialist construction in the future, too.

Present at the photo session were senior officials of party and armed forces organs Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Jong Gak, Jang Song Thaek, Kim Yong Chun, Kim Ki Nam, Pak To Chun, Hyon Chol Hae, Kim Won Hong, Ri Myong Su, Ju Kyu Chang, Kim Chang Sop, Ri Pyong Sam, Choe Pu Il, Son Chol Ju, Pak Jae Gyong, Kim Yong Chol, Jo Kyong Chol, Yun Tong Hyon, Kim Su Hak and Ri Jae Il.

Choe Ryong Hae Tours University Construction Site

Choe Ryong Hae (4th R) is briefed about ongoing construction at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education (Photo: KCNA)

DPRK state media reported that on Tuesday (24 April) VMar Choe Ryong Hae (Choe Ryo’ng-hae), director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Bureau (department), visited the ongoing renovation and construction projects at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education which is located in east Pyongyang.  Choe is the second member of the DPRK central leadership  reported to have made a solo public appearance, after DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim who has visited a number of factories, mines and construction projects during 2011-2012.

KCNA reports:

Choe Ryong Hae, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People’s Army, learned about the work at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education under renovation on the spot on Tuesday.

Leader Kim Jong Il assigned the People’s Army the task to successfully renovate the university as required by the new century and settled all issues arising in the project.

The soldier-builders dynamically pushed forward the project despite unfavorable weather conditions in severe winter.

Choe looked round for hours the interior and exterior of building No. 1 nearing completion and encouraged them to achieve achievements in the project so as to complete the project as quickly as possible at the best level as intended by Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un.

He underscored the need to thoroughly ensure the quality in the project in the spirit of working for their own parents and brothers and sisters and sprucing up the yards of their own houses under the motto “Let’s help the people!” put up by Kim Jong Il.

It is the way of upholding the noble intention of Kim Jong Un to creditably discharge the honorable mission of the People’s Army as defender of the country and creator of the people’s happiness, Choe said, calling upon them to renovate the seat for training educational talents in an impeccable manner and make a report on their victory to the supreme commander.

Choe has become Pyongyang watchers’ man of the hour since his promotion to Vice Marshal and appointment to the Political Bureau’s Presidium, Vice Chairman of the Party Central Military Commission and appointment to the National Defense Commission less than two weeks ago.

Choe Ryong Hae (2nd R) visits a classroom at Kim Hyong Jik University of Education during a tour of campus construction projects on 24 April 2012 (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Gak Appointed Minister of People’s Armed Forces

Kim Jong Gak (R) has been appointed defense minister and Hyon Chol Hae (3rd R) was promoted to Vice Marshal (Photo: KCNA)

VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-gak) has been appointed Minister of the People’s Armed Forces [MPAF].  Kim was promoted from 4-star general (taejang) to Vice Marshal (ch’asu) on 15 February 2012.  Four days after his promotion Kim penned an essay in Rodong Sinmun that praised Kim Jong Il and pledged the “unwavering faith” of KPA personnel to Kim Jong Un.    Kim replaces VMar Kim Yong Chun, who was appointed minister in 2009.

From 2007 to 2012 VMar Kim served as senior deputy (1st vice) director of the Korean People’s Army [KPA] General Political Department  [GPD](bureau), which is responsible for political control and ideological indoctrination of enlisted personnel and officers of the KPA.  Prior to that Kim was a vice minister of the People’s Armed Forces. In 2009 Kim was elected a member of the National Defense Commission [NDC] and in 2010 he was elected an alternate (candidate) member of the Political Bureau and member of the Party Central Military Commission [CMC].  The position of GPD director has been vacant since the November 2010 death of VMar Jo Myong Rok (Cho Myo’ng-rok) and Kim’s February 2012 promotion initially suggested that he would be elevated to that position.    Senior personnel changes at GPD are likely to become clearer as the next 72 hours unfold.

Hyon Chol Hae (L), Kim Jong Gak (2nd L) and Kim Yong Chun (2nd R) attend an April 2010 concert with Kim Jong Il (R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

On 7 April (Saturday), the CMC and NDC issued a joint promotion order.  KWP Secretary Choe Ryong Hae (Choe Ryo’ng-hae) and NDC Standing Committee Director Hyon Chol Hae were respectively elevated to Vice Marshal.  Hyon Chol Hae received his fourth star in 1995.  Despite having relatives who migrated to South Korea, neither his patronage network nor standing in the KPA has seemed to wane.  Hyon was last reported and observed in attendance at Kim Jong Un’s inspections at Ryo Island and KPA Navy Unit #155 during 4-5 April 2012.  Choe Ryong Hae was part of the September 2010 promotions list which included Kim Jong Un and Kim Kyong Hui (KJI’s sister/KJU’s aunt).

Choe Ryong Hae leads students in a loyalty oath at an April 2011 rally (Photo: KCNA)

Choe has close ties to Jang Song Taek and during the 1980s to the 1990s was one of Kim Jong Il’s closest subordinates.  Choe is the son of former defense minister Choe Hyon (1907-1982), who served as a platoon leader in the 88th Sniper Brigade (i.e. partisan unit).  Choe Hyon was a key supporter of KJI’s succession in the 1970s, arguing that an eldest son is his father’s successor.  On 10 April (Tuesday), Choe Ryong Hae led members of the central leadership to pay their respects to Choe Hyon’s memorial bust at the Revolutionary Martyrs’ Cemetery on Mt. Taesong.  KCNA reports:

Wreaths were laid before the bust of Choe Hyon, a revolutionary martyr, at the Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery on Mt. Taesong Tuesday on the occasion of his 30th death anniversary.

Seen before the bust was a wreath sent by the dear respected Kim Jong Un.

Present at the wreath-laying ceremony were Choe Ryong Hae, Ri Yong Ho, Kim Yong Chun, Choe Thae Bok, Yang Hyong Sop and O Kuk Ryol, officials of the party and armed forces bodies, ministries and national institutions, and media persons, servicepersons, bereaved

families and other people in the city.

Laid before the bust were wreaths in the name of the C.C., the Workers’ Party of Korea, the Presidium of the DPRK Supreme People’s Assembly, the DPRK Cabinet, the Ministry of the People’s Armed Forces, the Ministry of People’s Security, ministries, national institutions, media organs, units of the Korean People’s Army, the Pyongyang City Committee of the WPK, etc. Bouquets were also placed before the bust.

The participants observed a moment’s silence in memory of the martyr.

KCNA reported on Choe and Hyon’s promotions:

The title of Korean People’s Army Vice Marshal was awarded to Choe Ryong Hae and Hyon Chol Hae

A joint decision on awarding the title was released by the Central Military Commission of the Workers’ Party of Korea and the National Defence Commission of the DPRK on April 7.

Rocket on Launch Pad

Officials of the Korea Committee for Space Technology [KCST] have placed the U’nha-3 carrier rocket on its launch pad at the Sohae Launch Facility in Tongch’ang-ri, Ch’o'lsan County, North P’yo’ngan Province.  U’nha-3 was unveiled to visiting foreign media, along with what was said to be the Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 satellite [KMS-3].  Xinhua reports:

The rocket for Pyongyang’s planned satellite launch later this month has been installed on the launch pad, Xinhua correspondents saw at the launch site Sunday.

A official said at the scene that the Unha-3 rocket, which is slated to blast off during the April 12-16 window and send an “earth observation” satellite into space, is yet to be fuelled.

Xinhua was among the foreign media invited to visit the launching station, control and command center and some other places.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) announced last month its plan to launch the Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite to mark the 100th birthday of late leader Kim Il Sung, which has triggered global concerns.

Daily Yomiuri reports:

The injection of liquid fuel will start after the second- and third-stage units are assembled, the sources said.

Despite strong opposition by Japan, the United States, South Korea and other countries to the plan, the latest development shows North Korea has entered the final stage of preparations for the launch.

The setting up of the first-stage booster was confirmed by analysis of data from a U.S. reconnaissance satellite.

According to the sources, the first-stage booster was assembled vertically on the launchpad, which is about 50 meters high, at the new missile base in Tongchang-ri completed last year.

U.S. and South Korean authorities believe the second- and third-stage units will be set up by early this week, followed by the injection of liquid fuel from an underground facility.

The liquid fuel used by North Korea is said to be highly corrosive, making it difficult to store in a fuel tank for a long time after its injection, according to military experts. For this reason, the fuel will be injected a few days before the launch.

“No delays have been seen thus far, from the transportation of the missile body to the base to its assembly. We believe the launch will be carried out as announced,” a source said.

North Korea announced it will launch the rocket in the period from April 12 to 16.

Starting Wednesday, North Korea is scheduled to hold a series of political events, including a representatives’ meeting of the Workers’ Party of Korea. During this meeting, the North’s new leader, Kim Jong Un, is expected to assume the hermetic country’s highest posts, such as the general secretary of the party.

Another diplomatic source said North Korea will “fire the missile by April 15, [to celebrate the] 100th [anniversary of the] birthday of late President Kim Il Sung…and the completion of the power succession.”

Meanwhile, the launch of the U’nha-3 and Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 satellite may not be the only test carried out by the Korean Workers’ Party (KWP) Central Committee’s Machine-Building Industry Department and its subordinate organizations, the Second Economy Commission and Second Natural Sciences Academy.  South Korean officials say that ongoing excavation and construction activities near P’unggye-ri, Kilchu County, North Hamgyo’ng Province suggest the DPRK may conduct a third underground nuclear detonation, likely HEU.  Yonhap reports:

Satellite images show the communist nation digging a new tunnel underground in the Punggye-ri nuclear test site in the country’s northeast, where it conducted two previous nuclear tests, first in 2006 and then in 2009.

The construction is believed to be in its final stage, the official said.

“North Korea is making clandestine preparations for a third nuclear test at Punggye-ri in North Hamkyong Province, where it conducted two nuclear tests in the past,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Commercial satellite imagery showed piles of earth and sand at the entrance of a tunnel in the Punggye-ri site. The soil is believed to have been brought to the site to plug the tunnel, one of final steps before carrying out a nuclear test blast.

A nuclear test following a long-range missile test fits the pattern of North Korean behavior.

In 2006, the provocative regime carried out its first-ever nuclear test, three months after the test-firing of its long-range Taepodong-2 rocket. The second nuclear test in 2009 came just one month after a long-range rocket launch.

The North says it will fire off its Unha-3 long-range rocket between April 12-16 to put what it claims is a satellite into orbit. But regional powers believe the launch is a pretext to disguise a ballistic missile test banned under a U.N. Security Council resolution.

Sources said the North is believed to have put the rocket on a launch pad in the country’s northwest on Friday.

The North’s nuclear and missile programs have long been a regional security concern. The country is believed to have advanced ballistic missile technology, though it is still not clear whether it has mastered the technology to put a nuclear warhead on a missile.

Gas Up the KMS-3

Commemorative postage stamp of the Kwangmyo'ngso'ng-2/U'nha-2 launch in April 2009 (Photo: KCNA)

Technicians from the Korea Committee for Space Technology [KCST] continue preparations for the launch of the U’nha-3 carrier rocket which will reportedly carry payload, Kwangmyo’ngso’ng-3 [KMS-3] satellite.  38 North provides a detailed image analysis of the ongoing activities at Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongch’ang-ri, North P’yo’ngan Province:

Launch pad preparation seems to be progressing on schedule with fuel and oxidizer being delivered to the storage buildings for the Unha-3’s first stage. The next step will be the movement of the first stage to the pad—probably on March 30 or 31—followed by the second stage a day or two later. The third stage and payload will follow probably by April 2 or 3. Several other major events will take place after the Unha-3 is completely assembled. Unless some major setback occurs, the North Koreans will be able to launch during the declared launch window starting April 12, 2012.

Complementing the piece, image analysis expert Nick Hansen produced a timeline on U’nha-3′s launch preparations and the DPRK’s previous rocket (ICBM) launches:

It is no secret that North Korea plans to launch a satellite in a window between April 12-16, 2012 to coincide with the 100th birthday of Kim Il Sung, the founder of the country. It also plans to use an Unha-3 booster rocket launched from a new space port (Sohae Satellite Launching Station, a.k.a. Tongchang-dong Space Launch Center). The real secret is how North Korea plans to accomplish this task in the nearly three weeks left before the announced launch window. To provide some context on a probable timeline, this article briefly discusses the observed activities leading up to the Unha launch on July 4, 2006 and the Unha-2 launch on April 5, 2009, both from its old Tonghae Test Center.

Commercial imagery and open source reporting has shown that the launch campaigns of both 2006 and 2009 from Tonghae took about 2.25 months. Therefore, if the North Koreans are following anything like their previous schedule, the new campaign should be well underway. Imagery as of March 29, 2012, indicates that preparations have indeed begun. If a launch is really planned, it can be assumed that the Unha-3 and the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, identified as an earth resources mission, will soon be inside the assembly building.

AFP reports:

North Korea has begun fuelling a rocket for a launch that the West considers a missile test, a Japanese newspaper reported on Thursday, citing a source “close to the government” in Pyongyang.

“The launch is coming closer. The possibility is high that the launch date will be set for April 12 or 13,” the source said according to the Tokyo Shimbun in a report from Seoul.

It cited the source as saying that North Korea had begun injecting liquid fuel into the rocket.

The paper also said a diplomatic source had confirmed that North Korea has moved the rocket to a launch pad in Tongchang-ri in the country’s far northwest.

The report came after North Korea insisted Tuesday it would go ahead with what it says is a satellite launch, snubbing a call from US President Barack Obama to drop the plan and accusing him of a “confrontational mindset”.

DPRK media interviewed a deputy (vice) director of the KCST’s Space Development Department who provided a general explanation about the satellite, its equipment and the official motivation for the launch.  KCNA reports:

There were questions about the data of the working satellite to be launched on the occasion of the significant Day of the Sun and the visits by foreign experts and reporters.

Question: What is the mission of Kwangmyongsong-3, first working satellite in the DPRK?

Answer: Kwangmyongsong-3 as an earth observation satellite will assess the distribution of forests and natural resources of the DPRK, the level of natural disaster, the crop estimate, etc. and collect data necessary for weather forecast, natural resources prospecting and others.

Q: What is its capacity?

A: Kwangmyongsong-3 has video camera mounted on it and will send observation data including pictures to the General Satellite Control and Command Centre.

It weighs 100kg and will circle along the solar synchronous orbit at 500km high altitude. Its life is two years.

Q: The DPRK invited foreign experts and reporters to the satellite launch. What can they observe?

A: They will go to the Sohae Satellite Launching Station to witness carrier rocket Unha-3 on the launching pad and Kwangmyongsong-3. They will watch the preparation for the launch of the carrier rocket with satellite on it in the General Launch Command Centre. They will also visit the General Satellite Control and Command Centre in Pyongyang and see the satellite being launched in a relevant place.

We will organize special visits going beyond the international usage to show with transparency the peaceful, scientific and technological nature of the satellite.

The U’nha-3 is not the only missile being tested on the DPRK’s west coast this spring.  South Korean media reported that on Thursday (29 March) that two KN-01 anti-ship missiles were tested.  KBS World reports:

The official said Friday that the North launched two KN-01 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of 120 kilometers from North Pyongan Province.

The official said the missile tests are not considered to be related to the North’s plan to launch a long-range rocket next month and were apparently carried out to test the missiles’ capacities. However, the official added the tests could be interpreted as the North’s protest over the recent expansion of South Korean and U.S. war vessels deployed in the Yellow Sea.

North Korea test-fired three KN-02 surface-to-surface missiles in the East Sea earlier in January and test-fired two short-range missiles off its eastern coast on December 19th last year, the day Kim Jong-il’s death was announced.

Japan’s Self Defense Forces [SDF] have been ordered to shoot down any parts of the U’nha-3 which might impact Japanese territory.  Japan will also deploy surface-to-air missiles [SAM] as the launch approaches.  Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda was the only  international leader to explicitly remark on the U’nha/KMS-3 launch during the proceedings of the Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul earlier this week.

Asahi Japan Watch reports:

Pyongyang says it is planning to launch an Earth observation satellite between April 12 and 16, prompting Japan to mobilize its forces ahead of the launch. It is strongly suspected that the launch is nothing but a ruse to test a long-range ballistic missile.

On March 28, an RC-135U reconnaissance plane, designed to collect electronic intelligence, arrived at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa Prefecture.

Surface-to-air Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles have already been deployed at Kadena on a permanent basis, and the Air SDF is continuing with preparations for the deployment of PAC-3 missiles in other locations around Japan. Actual deployment was to get under way from March 30.

The Maritime SDF will also deploy three Aegis-class destroyers to waters off Okinawa and in the Sea of Japan to track the rocket/missile.

The PAC-3 missiles will be deployed in three locations in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area as well as four locations in Okinawa, including the Miyakojima and Ishigakijima islands. The missiles are expected to be transported by sea from SDF bases in Tsu and Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, via Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Because the North Korean missile is only expected to traverse the islands of Okinawa, there is thought to be a very low chance of any parts of it falling on Japanese territory.

Aegis-class destroyers successfully shot down ballistic missiles in three out of four tests by the MSDF. Two tests of PAC-3 missiles have also been successful.

Hideaki Kaneda, a former senior MSDF officer who is a director at the Okazaki Institute, said: “Japan has the ability to make an appropiate response against missiles similar in type to the Rodong (of North Korea).”

However, the PAC-3 missile only has a range of several dozens of kilometers for intercepting ballistic missiles. If the North Korean ballistic missile approaches Japanese airspace, it would likely herald some sort of malfunction.

Military analyst Kazuhisa Ogawa said: “If the missile starts to drop out of the sky due to a malfunction, its flight route would become unstable because of air resistance. That would make it much harder to shoot it down (with an interceptor missile).”

Another military commentator, Isaku Okabe, admitted the difficulty of shooting down a missile that had gone off course, but he said: “The route is over a large area of water, so there is a small chance that the missile will fall on land.”

Yanggang (Ryanggang) Provincial Party Secretary Kim Hui Taek (L)

Meanwhile, Daily NK citing sources in Yanggang Province, reports that Supreme People’s Assembly [SPA] deputies have been ordered to arrive in Pyongyang on or around 5 April, eight (8) days prior to the convocation of the 5th session (plenum; plenary meeting) of the 12th SPA on 13 April.  It is speculated in the article that the 4th Party Conference (Meeting of Party Representatives) might occur prior to the SPA, due to overlapping (dual) membership.  Given the scheduling of the SPA session and the projected dates of the U’nha-3 launch, the DPRK central leadership may be looking for a propulsive pretext to convene the party conference.

The unusually long eight day lead-in time appears to suggest that the 4th Chosun Workers’ Party Delegates’ Conference is going to occur sometime between the 5th and 12th, to be followed by the SPA on the 13th in order to allow all political formalities to be completed before the regime turns its attention to celebrating the 100th anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth on the 15th.

The exact schedule is a guessing game because although the Politburo revealed official plans to hold the 4th Delegates’ Conference “in mid-April” on February 20th, a precise date has still not been officially released.

A source from Hyesan in Yangkang Province revealed news of the order to assemble in conversation with Daily NK today, adding that “Nine people will depart from Hyesan by train on April 1st as SPA delegates, including Provincial Party Chief Secretary Kim Hi Taek, the principal of Kim Jong Suk College of Education and the low-level Party secretary from Hyesan Textile Factory.”

According to the source, “There has been no order handed down about the Delegates’ Conference, but since they have told delegates to assemble early for the SPA, the word on the street is that the Delegates’ Conference will come first.”

Many of the ‘lawmakers’ in the rubberstamp SPA are also likely to be Party delegates as well, meaning that holding the two events in very quick succession is logistically beneficial.

Delegates will travel on special trains laid on to transport people and freight on the behalf of the state. In the case of delegates from Hyesan, the train will depart from the border city before stopping at Kilju in North Hamkyung Province and passing through Kim Chaek, Simpo and Hamheung before stopping at Suncheon and Pyongsung in South Pyongan Province en route to the capital. If all goes according to plan, the journey should take 22 hours, though the April 1st departure date is a clear reflection of how power limitations can affect travel in rural North Korea.

In the meantime, Chosun Central News Agency and Rodong Shinmun have both been reporting on local conferences held to ‘elect’ delegates to the 4th Delegates’ Conference, though these are not competitive elections. So far, Kim Jong Eun has been officially adopted as a delegate by the Chosun People’s Army and the Party in South Pyongan Province and the capital, Pyongyang.

If the Supreme People’s Assembly does occur after the 4th Delegates’ Conference, Kim Jong Eun will first formally take power in the Party and then in the administrative sector, presumably becoming Chosun Workers’ Party chief secretary and chairman of the Central Military Committee before then becoming head of state.

Kim Jong Un Elected to Party Conference by Military

Members of the KPA Party Committee applaud during its party conference on 26 March 2012 at the 25 April House of Culture in Pyongyang. The party conference was convened to elect delegates (party representatives) to the 4th Korean Workers' Party Conference in the middle of April 2012. (Photo: KCNA)

The Korean People’s Army [KPA] party organization held its party conference on Monday (26 March) at the 25 April House of Culture.  During the proceedings, it nominated and elected Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) as a delegate (party representative) to the 4th Party Conference scheduled for an undetermined date in the middle of April.  KCNA reports:

Present there were delegates elected at the party organizations of the KPA units at all levels. The delegates paid silent tribute to leader Kim Jong Il. The presidium was elected there. The conference discussed the election of delegates to the WPK Conference.

Kim Jong Gak, first vice-director of the General Political Bureau of the KPA, made an address on electing Supreme Commander Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the WPK Conference.

The WPK Conference to be held in the significant year, the centenary of the birth of President Kim Il Sung and the 70th birth anniversary of Kim Jong Il, is a historic assembly powerfully demonstrating the revolutionary will of the WPK, the army and people of the DPRK to accomplish the songun revolutionary cause of juche under the leadership of Kim Jong Un generation after generation and is of weighty significance in ushering in a great heyday of the revolution and construction under the uplifted banner of songun, Kim Jong Gak noted, and continued: The revolutionary career and feats of Kim Jong Il who won victory after victory in the confrontation with imperialism, put the dignity of the DPRK on the highest level and laid an eternal foundation whereby Kim Il Sung’s nation can enjoy immense happiness generation after generation will always go down in the history of the country.

Led by Kim Jong Un, the WPK is now called the most militant, dynamic and iron-willed party, a revolutionary party strong in organization, unity and principle and a mother party truly serving the people, striking its roots deep into them.

It is the highest honor, the greatest event and the biggest fortune of the KPA, the pillar and main force of the songun revolution, to elect Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the WPK Conference at the current conference, reflecting the unanimous will and desire of all the service personnel.

The election of Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the WPK Conference is the service personnel’s manifestation of their absolute trust and ardent loyalty to him and a reflection of the requirements of the era for the victory of the revolutionary cause of juche and the cause of building a thriving nation which have entered a new stage development.

Noting that it is a solemn pledge made by the KPA before the era and the revolution to accomplish the cause of Kim Il Sung and the cause of Kim Jong Il with arms, Kim Jong Gak courteously proposed to elect Kim Jong Un, the heart and future of Kim Il Sung’s nation and Kim Jong Il’s Korea, as a delegate to the WPK Conference, representing the unanimous will and desire of all the service personnel.

The floor was taken by Ri Yong Ho, Kim Won Hong, Jong Myong Do and other delegates of the party organizations of the KPA units at all levels.

The speakers said that Kim Jong Un possessed of intense loyalty to Kim Jong Il, outstanding leadership ability, matchless pluck and grit and noble virtues as inborn disposition is the supreme representative of the WPK, a symbol of the dignity and glory of the country and the nation and an ever-victorious banner of the KPA and the Korean people.

They fully supported and approved the proposal on electing Kim Jong Un as a delegate to the WPK Conference.

The conference unanimously adopted a decision on electing Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of the WPK, the state and the revolutionary armed forces of the DPRK as a delegate to the WPK Conference, reflecting the will and desire of all the service personnel.

The conference elected delegates to the WPK Conference.

During 2010, Kim Jong Il was one of the KPA’s delegates to the 3rd Party Conference.  His nomination was also proposed by VMar Kim Jong Gak (Kim Cho’ng-gak), which is part of VMar Kim’s public duties as head of the KPA General Political Department (Bureau).  Choson Ilbo has identified VMar Kim as one of the high command’s “death angels” who has supervised the terminations and demotions of dozens of KPA officers and security officials, some of whom have been executed.

VMar Kim Jong Gak (2nd R) nominated Kim Jong Un as one of the KPA's delegates to the 4th Party Conference in April 2012. VMar Kim, seen at a 25 March 2012 rally ending the 100-days of mourning Kim Jong Il's death, is allegedly leading a purge of senior and mid-level KPA officials with the assistance of the Ministry of State Security's Gen. U Tong Chuk (3rd R), in order to consolidate the authority of the country's new leadership

Memorial Rally Ends KJI Mourning Period

Kim Jong Un (2nd L) attends a 25 March national memorial rally in Pyongyang ending the country's 100-day mourning period for deceased supreme leader Kim Jong Il. Seen with him are Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Yong Ho (L), SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (3rd L), his aunt and member of the Political Bureau Kim Kyong Hui (2nd R) and Political Bureau member Jon Pyong Ho (R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

People attend the memorial service to mark the 100th day since the death of Kim Jong Il, late top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on March 25, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Li)

DPRK state media reported on Sunday (25 March) that the 100-day mourning period for Kim Jong Il ended.  The country’s central leadership marked the occasion with two events.  Early on Sunday, Kim Jong Un (Kim Cho’ng-u’n) led a group of DPRK elites in paying their respects at Ku’msusan Memorial Palace where his grandfather, country founder and late DPRK President Kim Il Sung lies in state and where KJI will eventually lie in repose.  Later the same day, KJU and other DPRK leaders attended a national memorial rally for KJI as Kim Il Sung Square.

ITAR-TASS reports:

North Korean premier Choe Yong Rim, speaking on Sunday at a mass rally in the capital’s central square on the occasion of the 100 days since the death of the head of state, pointed to great services of Kim Jong-Il to the Korean nation.

He noted that the deceased leader turned North Korea “into a militarily strong country”, made an important contribution to the cause of reunification of the two parts of the Korean Peninsula. Besides, the premier continued, “Kim Jong-Il brilliantly settled the question on continuity of power”.

Choe also pointed to important measures, taken by the leader’s young son Kim Jong-Un, to immortalize the memory of his father. For instance, at the initiative of the new North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il was awarded the title of generalissimo, and the Kumsusan Memorial Palace was renamed into the “Palace of Sun”.

In this connection, the prime minister called for standing closer behind Kim Jong-Un whose leadership “will be a guarantee for successful implementation of the DPRK’s revolutionary course”.

Then, the rally was addressed by Minister of People’s Armed Forces and Vice-Marshal Kim Yong-Chun. According to the vice-marshal, thanks to Kim Jong-Il’s efforts, North Korea “has turned into an invincible country which nobody dares to attack”.

Now, the minister went on to say, the state is headed by Kim Jong-Un, inspecting military units and “demonstrating firm determination to pursue further the songun policy (militarily oriented policy of North Korea)”. The vice-marshal noted that such trips “instill faith in victory into our servicemen”.

“The people and the army will defend with all efforts the central committee of the Korean Workers Party headed by Kim Jong-Un,” the minister stressed. He blasted the South Korean authorities for the provocative policy of confrontation against fellow countrymen in the North.

Following the rally in the central square of Pyongyang where a large portrait of Kim Jong-Il was exhibited and where gun salvoes thundered, North Korean people honoured the memory of the passed leader with three-minute silence exactly at 12.00 local time. All locomotives and ships as well as cars hooted simultaneously.

The rally was attended by all the country’s leadership, including Kim Jong-Un, heads and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, officers of international humanitarian organizations, operating here, and foreign reporters.

Rallies and meetings, dedicated to Kim Jong-Il who headed North Korea over the past 17 years, took place in all districts of the country. The head of state passed away on last December 17 of a heart attack, caused by extreme overwork.

Members of the DPRK central leadership attending a national memorial rally in Pyongyang on 25 March 2012. Seen in attendance in this image (L-R) are: Jang Song Taek; Gen. O Kuk Ryol; Kim Ki Nam; VMar Ri Yong Mu; VMar Kim Yong Chun; VMar Ri Yong Ho; Kim Jong Un; Kim Yong Nam; Choe Yong Rim (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong Un (2nd R) bows during a 25 March national memorial rally held to end the 100-days of mourning for his father, Kim Jong Il. In this image are: NDC Vice Chairman, VMar Ri Yong Mu (L); NDC Vice Chairman and Minister of the People's Armed Forces, VMar Kim Yong Chun (2nd L); Chief of the KPA General Staff, VMar Ri Yong Ho; and, SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (Photo: KCNA)

Kim Jong-Un (C), top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), attends the memorial service to mark the 100th day since the death of Kim Jong Il, late top leader of DPRK, at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on March 25, 2012. (Xinhua/Zhang Li)

NHK reports:

North Korea held a large ceremony on Sunday to mark the 100th day after the death of former leader Kim Jong Il.

Many military personnel gathered at a square in Pyongyang, the capital, where a huge portrait of the former leader was placed.

Kim’s son and the country’s new leader, Kim Jong Un, appeared on a podium with top officials of the Workers’ Party and military and they together observed a moment of silence.

The prayer was followed by a speech by Premier Choe Yong Rim, in which he praised the former leader and stressed that Kim Jong Un will carry on his achievements.

Choe also condemned South Korea’s government of President Lee Myung-bak.

Sunday’s ceremony is seen as North Korea’s attempt to show at home and abroad that the period of mourning for the former leader has ended. It is also apparently designed to arouse loyalty from military personnel.

North Korea plans to hold a series of political events next month to mark the centenary of the birth of its founder, Kim Il Sung. They include a meeting of representatives of the Workers’ Party and a session of the Supreme People’s Assembly, the country’s parliament.

North Korea also plans to launch a rocket carrying a satellite. The plan has drawn criticism from Japan, the United States, South Korea, and other countries as a violation of UN resolutions as the launch will involve long-range ballistic missile technology.

Kim Jong Un (C) and members of the central leadership prepare to bow in front of an image of Kim Jong Il mounted on marble (below) at Ku'msusan Memorial Palace, as the DPRK ended its 100-day mourning period. (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Members of the central leadership bow to an image of Kim Jong Il. Standing behind Kim Jong Un are: his aunt Kim Kyong Hui (1st row, L) DPRK Premier Choe Yong Rim (1st row, 2nd L) DPRK Vice Premier Kang Sok Ju (2nd row, 3rd R), Chief of the KPA General Staff VMar Ri Yong Ho (1st row, 2nd R) and NDC Vice Chairman and Minister of the People's Armed Forces Kim Yong Chun (1st row, R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Members of the central leadership bow to an image of Kim Jong Il. Standing behind Kim Jong Un are: SPA Presidium President Kim Yong Nam (L), NDC Vice Chairman Gen. O Kuk Ryol (3rd R), NDC Vice Chairman and Kim Jong Un's uncle Jang Song Taek (2nd R) and NDC Member and Senior Vice Director of the KPA General Political Department, VMar Kim Jong Gak (R) (Photo: KCNA-Yonhap)

Meanwhile, northwest of Pyongyang, preparations for the April 2012 launch of the U’nha-3 are underway.  Yonhap reports:

North Korea has brought the main body of a long-range rocket to a launch site in the northwestern part of the impoverished, nuclear-armed communist state, a local report said Sunday.

A train took the main body to the launch facility in Dongchang-ri, Cholsan County, North Pyongan Province, Saturday, Fuji Television said citing informed sources.

North Korea has said it will launch the rocket to put an observation satellite into orbit between April 12 and 16 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founding father Kim Il-sung, which falls on April 15.

Kim Il-sung is the father of Kim Jong-il, the late North Korean leader who died of heart attack in December. Kim Jong-il’s son, Jong-un, has taken over in the unprecedented third-generation power transition in any communist state.

South Korea and the United States have called on the North to refrain from the planned rocket launch, seeing it as a disguised ballistic missile test.

The North’s move comes as U.S. President Barack Obama and scores of other global leaders are flocking to Seoul to attend the second Nuclear Security Summit.

Washington has said it will not provide food aid to Pyongyang if the North proceeds with the rocket launch, although the U.S. agreed in February to ship 240,000 tons of food to the impoverished North in return for the North’s moratorium on missile and nuclear tests and freeze of uranium enrichment.

North Korea has been under U.N. sanctions imposed in 2009 after Pyongyang’s nuclear and long-range rocket tests.

A view of the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Tongch'ang-ri, North P'yo'ngan Province, taken on 20 March 2012 (Photo: Yonhap)

RT reports on the preparations of the launch, as well as reactions and interactions in Seoul where the Nuclear Security Summit will open on Monday (26 March):

North Korean military specialists have delivered parts of a ballistic missile to the country’s northwestern launch pad, South Korean military informed. The launch is at the center of international concern as it is believed to have a military motive.

­Pyongyang is preparing to mark the centennial of North Korea founder, “farther of nation” Kim Il-sun in April with Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite space launch. The country is firmly intended to conduct a launch around April 15 according to North Korea’s Foreign Ministry. North Korea insists that the launch is purely civilian and that it has a sovereign right to pursue space exploration.

Washington believes North Korea’s rocket launches are a cover to test a nuclear warhead delivery vehicle. If the test is successful, Pyongyang’s long-range rocket will be capable of targeting Alaska and beyond.

North Korea’s upcoming rocket launch is going to be aimed south into a triangle area “roughly between Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines”, a senior US official has warned.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Saturday that Kurt Campbell, the assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, shared this information with Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on North Korean leaders to abstain from carrying out the launch. He recalled UN Resolution 1874, which prohibits North Korea from developing and testing long-range missiles and having an active nuclear weapons program. This resolution was adopted in 2009 after a North Korean space launch, and the new firing is being considered a violation of the UN-adopted resolution.

The UN secretary-general met South Korean leader Lee Myung-bak in Seoul and they called the missile test a “provocation against the international community.”

The North Korean launch is expected to dominate sideline discussions of leaders from nearly 60 countries at the nuclear security summit in Seoul.

North Korean neighbor Japan condemns the test and announced it is going to shot the rocket down using three AEGIS warships should it threaten the country.

The US, France, Russia and other countries condemned North Korea’s plans.

American President Barack Obama has visited the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on Sunday. He observed the movements of North Korean troops on the other side being behind armored glass just 100 meters from the 38th parallel that divides the two countries.

President Obama warned Pyongyang would find itself in even deeper isolation from the international community if the long-range rocket launch takes place.

“North Korea will achieve nothing by threats or provocations,” Obama said during a news conference in Seoul. “Bad behavior will not be rewarded,” Obama added.

North Korea has been consistently insisting on the peaceful nature of its space program. But since the country’s population continues to live in desperate need, it is hard to explain why a country dependent on foreign humanitarian aid needs multi-stage rockets capable of delivering nuclear warheads.

The BBC reports  (video of Obama Camp Bonifas here)

In response to questions from journalists, the two leaders said it was hard to make an assessment of North Korea’s new leader, Kim Jong-un, who came to power following the death of his father, Kim Jong-il, in December.Mr Obama said it was “not clear exactly who is calling the shots” in North Korea and what their long-term objectives were, while Mr Lee said the planned rocket launch was a “disappointment”.

The BBC’s Lucy Williamson in Seoul says there had been hopes that the US aid deal and a new, young leader were indications the crisis could be moving towards resolution, but that with the announcement of the missile test, those hopes have gone.

The launch is scheduled for 12-16 April, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country late Great Leader Kim Il-sung.

South Korean defence officials say the main body of the rocket has now been moved to the launch site in preparation.

Earlier on Sunday, Mr Obama visited some of the US personnel based at the the heavily fortified Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) which separates the two Koreas.

The US has some 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea under a post-Korean War security alliance.

Mr Obama told the soldiers they were defending “freedom’s frontier” and thanked them for helping to “create the space and the opportunity for freedom and prosperity”.

Mr Lee is hosting more than 50 countries for a two-day summit on nuclear security in Seoul starting on Monday.

The summit’s main focus will be preventing criminal or militant groups from acquiring nuclear weapons – North Korea is not officially on the agenda but is expected to feature in talks on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, North Koreans have been marking the end of 100 days of official mourning for Kim Jong-il. Tens of thousands of people gathered in Pyongyang to pay tribute to the leader, who died of a heart attack in December.

The Associated Press reports:

The president’s three-day trip here amounts to a reminder of the international struggles in his lap in the midst of a re-election year driven more by economic woes. He came to solidify pressure on North Korea, seek help with crises in Syria and Iran and advance a global effort he spearheaded to keep nuclear material from getting into terrorists’ hands.

Obama wore a tired look after a 17-hour flight from Washington, a helicopter ride to the border zone, two sets of diplomatic talks, the news conference and an official dinner. But he succeeded in showing solidarity with his diplomatic friend, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, and in cementing a lasting presidential image from inside no-man’s land.

The Demilitarized Zone is a Cold War anachronism, a legacy of the uncertain armistice that ended the Korean War nearly 60 years ago. Hundreds of thousands of troops stand ready on both sides of the border zone, which is littered with land mines and encased in razor wire.

From a lookout point with binoculars is hand, Obama peered North, then South, within a football-field’s length of the demarcation line.

He also shook hands and spoke briefly in the dining hall at a U.S. military camp just outside the 2.5-mile-zone, saying the troops were working at “freedom’s frontier.”

The United States has about 28,500 troops in South Korea, a deterrent force and a symbol of the military might Obama wants to keep in Asia.

The planned rocket launch by North Korea is yet another setback for the U.S. in years of on-again, off-again attempts to launch real negotiations.

North Korea walked away from international disarmament talks in 2009. Years of fitful negotiations had succeeded in ending part of North Korea’s nuclear program but failed in stopping it from building and testing nuclear devices and long-range missiles that might be able to carry bombs.

Obama said the launch would jeopardize a new deal for the U.S. to resume food aid to North Korea, and the world community would likely respond with another round of sanctions.

The big consequence for North Korea, he said, would be one big blown opportunity.

“If a country can’t feed its people effectively, if it can’t make anything of any use to anybody, if it has no exports other than weapons, and even those aren’t ones that in any way would be considered state-of-the-art … then you’d think you’d want to try something different.”

For his part, Lee said: “There is no difference of opinion between the U.S. and South Korea. We’ll remain very calm and rational and we will be wise in dealing with the North Koreans if in fact they do go ahead with their announcement.”

Obama has called nuclear terrorism the gravest threat the United States and the world may face. North Korea is a prime suspect in the proliferation of some nuclear know-how, along with missiles that could be used to deliver weapons of mass destruction.