North Korea advances dates for rocket launch
Reports said Pyongyang earlier planned it around mid-February to coincide with the birth anniversary of late Kim Jong-Il, but now it could take place as early as Sunday.
North Korea’s plan to launch a long-range missile could happen as early as Sunday, reports said. Pyongyang on Saturday sent a notification to United Nations agencies, moving the launch to between February 7 to 14. It was earlier set to happen between February 8 to 25. The launch was condemned by the UN and other countries after it was announced, as a ballistic missile test violates the UN resolution. North Korea had held a nuclear test last month.
AFP reported that the updated notification stated no reason for the change in dates. The launch now will take place before the birth anniversary of Kim Jong-Il, father of the country’s current supremo Kim Jong-un. Reports of an imminent missile launch were supported by recent images of fuel tankers at the Sohae satellite launch complex in North Korea.
In January, Kim Jong-un said his country had the ability to wipe out the United States. In a statement last month, North Korea defended its nuclear test and said it was in response to the US’ “undisguised hostile policy” towards them.