The United States says it has detected “increased activity” in North Korea which suggests the hermit regime is preparing for a space launch.<\/p>\n
“Our concern though is that they do a space-launch but really it’s the same technology to develop ICBMs,” an official told Reuters on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The US said the activity suggested the movement of equipment and propellant which could be used to carry out the launch within “the next few weeks.”<\/p>\n
The Kyodo news agency warned that the launch could take place as soon as next week, quoting a government source.<\/p>\n
“Japan\u2019s analysis on the satellite images over a period of days indicate that North Korea might conduct a long-range missile test within a week,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n
The officials did not state exactly where the increased activity took place, though North Korea carries out many of its military tests at a site in Kilju County.<\/p>\n
Another official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP, said the launch did not appear to be “ballistic-missile related.”<\/p>\n
“The indications are that they are preparing for some kind of launch…could be for a satellite or a space vehicle – there are a lot of guesses. North Korea does this periodically, they move things back and forth… There’s nothing to indicate it’s ballistic-missile related.”<\/p>\n