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North Korea’s Sohae launch site in Dongchang Village

In line with its notice, North Korea is reportedly proceeding with preparations to launch a rocket to place the terrestrial observation satellite called Gwangmyeongseong into orbit between Feb. 8 and Feb. 25.

“The only way to prevent North Korea from coming to the wrong conclusion is for the UN to use tough sanctions to force the North to recognize that it cannot survive unless it gives up its nuclear weapons program,” South Korean President Park Geun-hye said on Feb. 4, reiterating the need for the international community - and the UN Security Council in particular - to impose harsh sanctions on North Korea.

“I said everything I had to say, but for now there’s no way to know what the outcome will be,” said Wu Dawei, China’s special representative for Korean Peninsula affairs and the chair of the six-party talks, upon arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport on Thursday after wrapping up his visit to North Korea.

“Indications have been detected recently that North Korea is preparing to launch a long-range missile, with more movement of vehicles at the launch facility at Dongchang Village, North Pyongan Province,” a senior official with the South Korean military said on Thursday.

“Considering that there is not much time remaining before the launch, we are assuming that the missile is on the launch pad at Dongchang Village,” the official said while declining to provide any details.

Since the launch pad at Dongchang Village is protected by an environmental cover, satellite imagery is reportedly no longer able to confirm the presence of a rocket.

“North Korea’s plan to launch a long-range missile in addition to its nuclear test is an intolerable threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and throughout the world. Since this is intended to threaten South Koreans and to create extreme fear, we need the international community to actively cooperate with us in our response,” said Blue House Press Secretary Kim Sung-woo on Thursday, speaking on behalf of President Park.

“This means that North Korea is not at all afraid of UN sanctions. It is a desperate gamble intended solely to perpetuate the North Korean regime without any intention of bringing peace to the Korean Peninsula. It means that the North Korean regime will continue to blackmail the international community so that it can stay in power,” Park added.

Park’s remarks are being taken to mean that, for now, rather than cranking up pressure on a bilateral level by shutting down the Kaesong Industrial Complex, the South Korean government will focus on calling for China and the international community to participate in tougher sanctions against the North.

South Korean military authorities announced that they would shoot down the North Korean missile if it enters South Korean territory or territorial waters.

“We are increasing our anti-aircraft operational readiness in order to intercept the North Korean missile or any of its components if they fall in South Korean territory or territorial waters. We will take corresponding defensive measures depending on where in South Korean territory the missile falls and the extent of the damage,” said Moon Sang-kyun, spokesperson for the South Korea Ministry of National Defense, during the regular press conference on Thursday.

The missile interception system currently used by the South Korean military is the Patriot PAC-2 system, which has a range of 15 kilometers, while US forces in South Korea are armed with Patriot PAC-3 interceptors.

Moon effectively dismissed Japanese media reports that there were signs of North Korea preparing for a missile launch on the East Sea (Sea of Japan) as well, saying that nothing of the sort had been confirmed.

South Korea’s Northwest Islands Defense Command also carried out maritime gunnery exercises near Baeknyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island, South Korea’s northernmost territories in the Yellow Sea. The exercises are presumed to be a warning message to North Korea about launching a long-range missile.

On Thursday, South Korea’s navy had its first and second squadrons run drills to block submarine infiltration in the East Sea and Yellow Sea, respectively.

By Park Byong-su, senior staff reporter, and Seong Yeon-cheol, Beijing correspondent

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