Japan, US Ready Defenses for N Korean Missile

Vows to restart nuclear plants if sanctioned

(NEWSER) - North Korea said today it would reopen its nuclear facilities if the UN Security Council takes action over a planned missile launch, Reuters reports. If the UN adds sanctions against North Korea, Pyongyang said it would reverse the closing of both a nuclear reactor and its Yongbyon atomic plant, which was part of a pan-Asian deal signed in 2005. More»

Satellite images of rocket flight released by anti-nuke group

(NEWSER) - An institution devoted to stopping the spread of nuclear weapons has released images believed to be of North Korea's rocket in flight on Sunday, reports CNN. The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security says the images, taken from satellite, clearly show the exhaust plume from the rocket's burning propellant and the terrain around the launch pad. More»

Experts believe 'satellite' failure was moderately successful missile test

(NEWSER) - North Korea's weekend rocket launch failed in the third stage, and its payload—be it friendly satellite or naked nuclear ambition—lies at the bottom of the Pacific, but the test shows alarming progress, experts tell the Los Angeles Times. Analysts dismiss North Korea's claims that a satellite made it into orbit, but believe the test of a multistage rocket will draw notice from the likes of Iran, Syria, and Pakistan. More»

(AP) - North Korea said preparations to launch a satellite were complete and liftoff was imminent, as US, Japanese, and South Korean warships with radar plied waters near the communist nation to monitor what they fear is a long-range missile test. Spy satellites trained high-resolution cameras on a coastal launch pad for a launch the North earlier advised would take place sometime between Saturday and Wednesday. More»

It also begins fueling its controversial long-range rocket

(NEWSER) - North Korea today threatened to shoot down US planes it accuses of spying on its soon-to-be-launched rocket, the New York Times reports. Meanwhile, the rocket's fueling process has begun, which means it could be ready to go sometime this weekend, CNN notes. The rocket likely will carry a harmless enough satellite, but the launch itself will allow the North to test its ballistic missile capability. More»