 |
|
National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Kim Seung-kyu, center, walks into the National Assembly Intelligence Committee on June 20 to report about North Korea's possible missile launch. Kim Chong-soo
|
S.K. intelligence says likelihood of launch low
South Korea has reportedly concluded that North Korea has not completed fueling its Taepodong 2 missile. Both South Korea and the U.S. have used the missile fueling question as a key factor in determining whether Pyongyang intends to carry through with a test launch. Following a briefing by National Intelligence Service (NIS) chief Kim Seung-kyu, National Assembly Intelligence Committee member Chung Hyung-keun (GNP) told reporters the committee was informed that the missile would require a 65-ton propellant of 15 tons of kerosene and 50 tons of oxidizing agent. However, there are only 40 fuel containers near the launch pad, and even 50 containers would be insufficient to fuel up the missile, Mr. Chung said.Asked whether the presence of the 40 containers meant that some fueling had already taken place, Mr. Chung denied that he suggested any such occurrence. Mr. Chung went on to say he thinks the NIS is doubtful about the likelihood of a launch. "Even if fueling is complete, [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-il still needs to decide whether it would be a good idea to carry through with it. The weather situation is also not good," he said. The NIS reportedly told the committee it believes the Taepodong 2 has a range of 6,000 km and was developed from the Taepodong 1 missile North Korea test fired in 1998. It said a U.S. intelligence satellite spotted a rocket projectile on a transport vehicle near a Pyongyang train station on May 5. It was around that time the South Korean government first noticed signs of a possible missile launch.
