N. Korea tested engine for 5,000km-range rocket – report

[pkuser2k12]

Pyongyang tested an engine for its modernized long-range missile just a day before its third nuclear test on February 12, Yonhap news agency reported. Both of North Korea's missile launch sites are also being upgraded, Seoul has claimed.

*An engine firing test for the KN-08 missile took place at the Dongchang-ri launch site in North Pyongan province last Monday, Yonhap reported. The new engine will extend the range of the KN-08 to 5,000 kilometers.

"If the North decides the test successful, it is expected to operationally deploy the new long-range rocket," an anonymous South Korean government source told Yonhap.

In March 2012, North Korea deployed six mobile ballistic missile complexes to celebrate the 100th birthday of Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un, and showcased the arms in a military parade.

At the time, the US roundly criticized China for allegedly exporting the missile transporters to Pyongyang. The White House accused Beijing of delivering to North Korea in 2011 the “largest self-propelled overload special off-road transporter in China,” in defiance of a UN ban on such military sales; China denied the allegations.

The latest test-fire of the KN-08’s upgraded engine was carried out openly, Yonhap news agency’s source said, as North Koreans are well aware that their moves are being closely monitored by US spy satellites.

“The engine test right before its third nuclear test would be intended to intensify its threat to the US and its allies [South Korea and Japan],” Yonhap’s source explained.

North Korea's third nuclear test sparked immediate condemnation from the UN and the international community. Pyongyang reportedly responded by informing its primary ally China that it may stage two more nuclear tests before the end of this year.

A 100,000-person rally was held in Pyongyang to express support for the country’s leadership over the nuclear test.

The US, the first country that discovered that North Korea is modernizing its launch pads, accused Tehran of providing technical aid to North Korea.

“A new flame trench covering to protect large rockets from exhaust gases is similar to the covering used at a new launch pad at the Semnan Launch Complex in Iran,” explained the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Baltimore, in a report dedicated to North Korea’s missile program.

The US-Korea Institute predicted that by 2016, North Korea may be able to build rockets with three to four times the range of the Unha-3 that Pyongyang tested in December, which successfully delivered the first North Korean satellite, Kwangmyongsong-3, into orbit.

“If North Korea continues to waste its budget on developing military weapons, it will become difficult to maintain its regime,” South Korean President Lee Myung-bak warned, according to Yonhap.


source:
N. Korea tested engine for 5,000km-range rocket

 

[Ayush]

north Korea is an economic powerhouse.....


or is it an economic hut??

 

[Huan]

Well well, USA. This is what happens when you did not utilize all your American military might and just stall for time, hoping North Korea would crumble to ashes...
10 aircraft carriers, what are you waiting for?!!!

 

[tyrant]

Well well, USA. This is what happens when you did not utilize all your American military might and just stall for time, hoping North Korea would crumble to ashes...
10 aircraft carriers, what are you waiting for?!!!

Said Dick Cheney, too.
While US is getting out of war to focus on economy and check China, a war with NK is out of question.

 

[northeast]

Come,vietnam.you could do better than NK

 

[tranquilium]

north Korea is an economic powerhouse.....
or is it an economic hut??

Its GDP is about 125th out of the 190ish nominally. Though by PPP it is a bit higher, in the 90s. Just above Nepal. (according to 2011 data anyway)
Historically, its economy used to be pretty good in 70s when Soviet Union was at its best, beating both China and South Korea (at least in per capita). However, North Korea integrated itself so much with Soviet Union that following the collapse of Soviet Union, North Korean economy collapsed with it.

Nowadays, it most lives on trade with China. Its current leader is proposing reforms similar to what Deng did in the 80s. Personally, I don't think it will go anywhere fast since there is a niche conflict between North Korean economy and Chinese economy. Even if the complicate is reduced after China finishes its economic transition, North Korea would still have to face competition from Southeast Asia, this is not including the mountain size economic sanctions US posted on it.

 

[NiceGuy]

Come,vietnam.you could do better than NK

Sorry,we only like to attack US''s oil supply in Sing,so no need missile with 5000km

 

[Fsjal]

Sorry,we only like to attack US''s oil supply in Sing,so no need missile with 5000km

Hahahaha. Really?

Good luck. You're gonna need it.
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I doubt the missile would work. Probably gonna flop.