Tankers’ Presence At North Korea Launch Pad More Likely Indicates Fueling Of Tanks Rather Than Space Launch Vehicle, Monitoring Team Says
The isolationist North Korea is once again at the center of a heated debated as the United States government sources revealed that the country might be in the process of preparing for a rocket launch in the coming weeks.
The Inquirer reported that the Centre National d'Études Spatiales and Airbus Defense & Space satellite imagery spotted tanker trucks near North Korea's rocket launch pad, called the Sohae Satellite Launching Station. However, 38 North, a Washington-based North Korea monitoring project, said the presence of the trucks did not necessarily indicate that North Korea has been fueling the rocket. 38 North opined that the tanker trucks may have been used fuel the oxidizer tanks within the site's bunkers.
"Contrary to recent reports, the presence of these tankers more likely indicates the filling of fuel/oxidizer tanks within the bunkers than the fueling of the space launch vehicle," 38 North said.
The report seemed consistent with North Korea's announcement to United Nations agencies about its rocket launch window between Feb. 8 to Feb. 25.
While the North insisted that its space program does not involve the development of higher forms of weapons of mass destruction, the United States and South Korea, including their allies, still believes that North Korea is aiming to develop an "inter-continental ballistic missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland."
Meanwhile Reuters reported that the United States Pacific Command has been carefully monitoring the situation in the area. It was also said that they have prepared missile defense assets that would provide necessary protection in case of any imminent danger.
"No one should doubt that U.S. Pacific Command forces are prepared to protect the American homeland and defend our allies in South Korea and Japan," said United States Navy Captain Cody Chiles, spokesperson of the Pacific Command.
On Friday, United States President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed that North Korea's nuclear launch would manifest a "provocative and destabilizing action."
"The leaders emphasized the importance of a strong and united international response to North Korea's provocations, including through an impactful UN Security Council Resolution," the White House said.