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N. Korea Readies Missile for Launch
UN sanctions will derail disarmament talks: Pyongyang
By Ambreen Ali
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Posted Mar 25, 09 4:16 PM CDT
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(Newser)
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As the date of a promised “satellite launch” nears, North Korea has placed a long-range ballistic missile on the launch pad used for earlier test firings, Reuters reports. South Korea, Japan, and the US plan to seek UN sanctions if the nuclear power goes forward with what analysts believe will really be the test of a three-stage rocket that could reach as far as Alaska.
In an attempt to skirt sanctions, Pyongyang has announced the launch’s timing—scheduled between April 4 and 8—and rocket’s path—over Japan, with booster stages dropping to the island nation’s east and west. The rogue government also threatened to derail international disarmament talks if the UN takes punitive action. The US hasn’t said whether it would consider a military response.