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Report says North Korea Continues Rocket Testing
[November 13, 2012]

Report says North Korea Continues Rocket Testing


Nov 13, 2012 (Voice of America News/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- Report says North Korea Continues Rocket Testing VOA News November 13, 2012 The U.S.-Korea Institute says new satellite photographs show that North Korea is testing large rocket engines for use in ballistic missiles.



According to the institute's blog, 38 North (http://38north.org/2012/11/sohae111212/ utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sohae111212), the commercial satellite imagery shows at least two tests were done at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, one as recently as mid-September.

The institute, which is associated with the Johns Hopkins University, said the tests appear to have been conducted on the first stage of liquid fueled engines.


The institute also reports that new construction at the facility may indicate the North is preparing for further tests and perhaps launches of larger rockets.

The report speculated that in the wake of the U.S. and South Korean elections, the North may be gearing up for another round of rocket tests.

In October, North Korea said it had rockets capable of striking the continental United States. The claim was widely seen as a reaction to the announcement of a deal between the United States and South Korea to allow South Korea to extend the range of its ballistic missiles.

North Korea is believed to be developing intercontinental ballistic missiles, but so far its tests have not been successful. While Pyongyang does have the capability to strike South Korea and other nearby countries, experts say its ballistic missiles could not strike the U.S. mainland.

In April, North Korea tried to launch what it said was a satellite, but the multi-stage rocket failed and fell into the Yellow Sea soon after launch.

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