North Korea is preparing to launch an upgraded missile with a range that can possibly reach the U.S. mainland, a high-ranking South Korean government official told the JoongAng Ilbo, an affiliate of the Korea JoongAng Daily, on Wednesday.
“The North is working hard to test the rocket engine,” the source said, “in addition to a construction project to extend a launch tower at a missile facility. There was intelligence that Kim Jong-un as National Defense Commission First Chairman ordered the launch of an artificial satellite, so we believe the launch will take place before October.”
North Korea celebrates the foundation of its ruling Workers’ Party on Oct. 10 as an important political event, and this year marks the 70th anniversary, fueling speculation about a series of provocations in October.
In the past, the North has used its space program as an excuse to test long-range missiles.
In December 2012, it announced it had successfully put a satellite into orbit with Unha-3, a three-stage rocket with a range of at least 6,000 kilometers (3,728 miles).
“I am not at liberty to discuss the timing and number of attempts, but the North conducted at least two engine combustion tests during the first half of this year,” the official said. “Taking into account the scope of the tests, the new rocket will be larger than Unha-3 and it will have a range of about 10,000 kilometers.”
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