North Korea Deceived U.S., Allies Before Launching Rocket

This picture received from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 12, 2012 shows the rocket Unha-3, carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, being monitored on a large screen at a satellite control center in North Korea.

U.S. Official: North Korea Likely Deceived U.S., Allies Before Launching Rocket -- CNN

North Korea likely engaged in a deliberate campaign of deception before a December 12 long-range missile launch, catching the United States and its Asian allies "off guard," according to a U.S. official with direct knowledge of analysis of the incident conducted by U.S. military and intelligence agencies.

The official told CNN that American and Japanese military ships and missile defenses were fully operational and protecting land, sea and airspace on December 12, but that the launch was a surprise when it actually happened.

"We had our dukes up, operationally, but we were caught off guard," the official said.

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My Comment: I was surprised by the North Korean missile launch .... but it is true .... those who are paid to observe and watch North Korea were lax on this one.

North Korean Satellite Is Most Likely Dead

Astronomers Say North Korean Satellite Is Most Likely Dead -- New York Times

The North Korean satellite launched into space last week appears to be tumbling in orbit and is most likely dead, astronomers are reporting. The evident failure will not cause the spacecraft to fall quickly back to earth but seems to represent a major blow to the North’s portrayal of the launching as a complete triumph.

“It’s spinning or tumbling, and we haven’t picked up any transmissions,” said Jonathan McDowell, a Harvard astronomer who tracks rocket launchings and space activity. “Those two things are most consistent with the satellite being entirely inactive at this point.”

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More News On North Korea's Missile Test

North Korean Satellite May Be Malfunctioning -- Voice of America
North Korean satellite may already be dead -- CBS/AP
North Korean satellite appears dead: scientist -- Sydney Morning Herald
North Korea's satellite a dud, say US astroboffins -- The Register
Astronomer says malfunctioning North Korea satellite could stay in orbit for years -- Washington Post/AP

My Comment: This confirms my earlier opinion that this was not a satellite test .... it was a missile/rocket test.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Puffs On A Cigarette As He Oversees His Country's Rocket Launch

Conference: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) talks with officials at the General Satellite Control and Command Center before the launch of the Unha-3 rocket

This Looks Like Another Job For 007: Looking Like A Bond Villain, North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un Puffs On A Cigarette As He Oversees The Rocket Launch That Has Terrified The World -- Daily Mail

* Success comes eight months after leader Kim Jong Un was publicly humiliated when a satellite launch ended in failure
* North Korean state media said Kim himself issued the order to fire rocket

Leaning casually on the table with a cigarette in one hand as he watches his country’s satellite soar into space, Kim Jong Un’s pose is oddly familiar.

Worryingly familiar, in fact – for it lends him a distinct resemblance to Dr No, the original Bond villain.

North Korea’s rocket launch on Wednesday earned Kim virtual global condemnation, alienating even long-standing allies such as China and Russia, while reports in the US suggested that the spacecraft might be ‘tumbling out of control’.

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My Comment: There is a lot of cool pics in this post.

Top U.S. Officials On Asia Were Partying When North Korea Launched Their Missile

Obama’s Asia Team Caught Off Guard, Partying When Rocket Launched -- Foreign Policy

The Obama administration's Asia team was caught so off guard by North Korea's Dec. 11 rocket launch, several of them actually had to put down their drinks and suddenly leave a holiday party being held in honor of the Japanese emperor's birthday.

Several top U.S. officials dealing with Asia and North Korea from the State Department, the Pentagon, and the National Security Council were relaxing Tuesday night at the Japanese ambassador's Nebraska Avenue residence in Washington when the news came over their blackberries that North Korea had launched another Unha-3 rocket with a "satellite" attached, this time with much more success than a previous attempt in April.

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My Comment: This person was on the job.

North Korea`s Rocket Launch -- News Roundup

This photo released by the state-run Korean Central News Agency shows North Korean technicians monitoring the launch of an Unha-3 rocket carrying the satellite Kwangmyongsong-3, or Shining Star-3, into orbit on Wednesday. KCNA, via Reuters

Mysteries Swirl Around North Korea's Satellite Launch -- Christian Science Monitor

The US believes North Korea's satellite is out of control, but the South Koreans insist that it is functioning normally.

US and South Korean officials appear to disagree on one detail of the North Korean satellite that has nothing to do with any difference over what to do about it.

No sooner had major American television networks spread the word from their official sources that the satellite was “out of control” than South Korea’s defense ministry came out with just the opposite view.

Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok, briefing South Korean reporters, told them that, “for the time being,” the satellite is “working normally.”

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More News On North Korea's Rocket Launch

North Korean satellite 'orbiting normally' after rocket launch -- The Guardian
Confusion over North Korean 'satellite' amid US claims object is 'tumbling out of control' -- The Independent
North Korea's satellite orbiting normally, South Korea says -- CBS/AP
Key points on North Korea's launch of a satellite -- AP
North Korea to Continue Satellite Launches - Leader -- RIA Novosti
Rocket Launch Shows North Korea's Advance -- Wall Street Journal
N. Korean Missiles Don't Threaten US Yet, Analysts Say -- Voice of America
NKorea Still Years Away From Reliable Missiles -- Time/AP
International Community Considers Response to N. Korean Rocket Launch -- Voice of America
North Korea rocket launch prompts international condemnation -- The Guardian
South Korea wants more sanctions against North over rocket -- Euronews
After Rocket Launching, a Call for New Sanctions -- New York Times
China Calls for "Moderate" Response to North Korean Rocket Launch -- Voice of America
China watching Korean security closely -- UPI
Courageous North Korean Satellite an Honor to Proud North Korean People! -- Juli Weiner, Vanity Fair
What should U.S. do about North Korea launch? -- Jason Miks, CNN

Another U.S. Intelligence Failure?

U.S. Failed To Predict North Korea Rocket Launch -- CBS News

(CBS News) North Korea, a hermit dictatorship that cannot always feed its people, has become the 13th nation to orbit a satellite. The success of Wednesday night means the nuclear armed nation has a rocket capable of reaching as far as the United States.

U.S. intelligence failed to detect signs the North Korean launch was imminent.

Officials insist that made no difference in the ability of the American missile defense system to track the rocket as it jettisoned its first stage in the Yellow Sea as planned, and its second in the Philippine Sea before boosting what the North Koreans say is a weather satellite into polar orbit.

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More News On The Intelligence Community Failing To Predict North Korea's Rocket Launch

North Korea Totally Embarrassed The Intelligence Community -- Business Insider
US Failed To Predict North Korea Rocket -- International Business Times
(NK rocket) Lawmakers rebuke S. Korean defense chief over intelligence capability -- Yonhap News
U.S.: North Korean missile launch earlier than expected -- CNN
North Korea Can Still Surprise Everyone -- Wall Street Journal

My Comment: I must confess .... I was surprised when I heard that the North Korean's conducted their  missile test .... and I am one who follows very closely these developing news stories.

North Korean 'Satellite' Is 'Tumbling Out Of Control'

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North Korean Satellite 'Tumbling Out Of Control,' US Officials Say -- NBC 

The object that North Korea sent into space on Wednesday appears to be “tumbling out of control” as it orbits the earth, U.S. officials told NBC News. The officials said that it is indeed some kind of space vehicle, but they still haven’t been able to determine exactly what the satellite is supposed to do. In a statement, the White House said the rocket launch was a highly provocative act that threatens regional security and violates U.N. resolutions. The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday condemned the launch, calling it a "clear violation" of U.N. resolutions. A spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he "deplores" the launch.  

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My Comment: I have trouble believing that North Korea has the capabilities to assemble a proper functioning satellite .... this was a missile/rocket test whose sole purpose was to extend North Korea's missile capabilities to hit long distance targets

 Update: One Small Step for Kim: North Korea Inches Closer to an ICBM -- Danger Room .

North Korea Successfully Launches A Long-Range Rocket

North Korea Defies Warnings To Launch Rocket -- BBC

North Korea says it has successfully launched its rocket in defiance of international warnings.

The rocket, launched at 09:49 local time (00:49 GMT), appears to have followed its planned trajectory, with stages falling in expected areas.

North Korea says a satellite has been placed in orbit; the US confirmed an object had been put into space.

South Korea, the US and Japan have condemned the launch as a banned test of long-range missile technology.

Japan has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. Reports suggested this could take place later on Wednesday.

The launch comes a week ahead of the South Korean presidential election and roughly a year after the death of leader Kim Jong-il, on 17 December 2011.

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More News On North Korea's Successful Missile Test

N. Korea launches rocket: Live Report -- AFP
NKorea springs surprise with rocket launch -- AP
North Korea successfully launches long-range rocket -- CBS/AP
North Korea says it sucessfully launched controversial satellite into orbit -- NBC
North Korea launches a long-range rocket -- Washington Post
North Korea Launches Rocket in Defiance of Sanctions -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea Claims Success in Rocket Launch -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea defies West with second firing of long-range rocket -- L.A. Times
North Korea carries out controversial rocket launch -- CNN
N. Korea Launches Long-Range Missile -- ABC News
North Korea Launches Long-Range Rocket, Claims Satellite in Orbit -- Voice of America
North Korean rocket launch succeeds -- The Guardian
DPRK says it successfully launched controversial long-range rocket -- Xinhuanet
United Nations Security Council to meet after North Korea says rocket launch a success, satellite in orbit -- The Australian
North Korea launches long-range rocket, UN to discuss sanctions -- The Australian
Defiant North Korean rocket launch gives Kim Jong-un a boost -- Christian Science Monitor
China raps N. Korea over rocket launch -- The International News
Tokyo protests against North Korean rocket launch, calls for UN consulatation -- Washington Post/AP

North Korea Delays Rocket Launch

North Korea Extends Rocket Launch Window To December 29 -- Voice of America

North Korea said Monday that engineers have found a technical problem in the controversial rocket and have extended the window until the end of December. The rocket would put a satellite in orbit, and had been set to launch as early as this week.

"Scientists found a technical deficiency in the first-stage control engine module of the rocket carrying the satellite and decided to extend the launch period up to Dec. 29,'' the KCNA news agency quoted a space agency spokesman as saying.

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More News On North Korea Delaying It's Rocket Launch

North Korea extends launch window for rocket after technical problems -- CNN
North Korea extends rocket launch window due to "technical problems" -- Reuters
North Korea says it’s extending launch period for long-range rocket by a week to Dec. 29 -- Washington Post/AP
North Korea Extends Rocket Launch Window By One Week -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea says it is extending rocket launch window for a week to Dec. 29 -- FOX News
North Korea Extends Rocket Launch Window -- Wall Street Journal
Technical Glitch Delays Rocket Launching, North Korea Says -- New York Times

U.S. Navy Positions Ships To Monitor North Korea's Missile Test

US Moves Warships to Track North Korean Rocket Launch -- Voice of America

PENTAGON — The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral Samuel Locklear, says the U.S. is moving warships to track a rocket that North Korea expects to launch.

North Korea announced last week that it plans to try again to launch a long-range rocket soon, despite warnings from the United States and others for it not to do so.

The U.S. military says it plans to watch closely. The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific, Admiral Samuel Locklear, told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday that a number of ships equipped with advanced ballistic missile systems are being relocated to track the rocket.

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More News On The U.S. Navy Positioning Naval Assets To Monitor North Korea's Missile Test

U.S. warships moving to monitor North Korea's planned rocket launch -- Reuters
US moves warships to track North Korea rocket launch -- BBC
U.S. Deploys Ships to Monitor North Korea Rocket Launch -- Bloomberg Businessweek
U.S. Navy positions ships to monitor North Korea launch -- CNN
U.S. Military to Monitor for Rocket -- New York Times
U.S. Monitors Possible North Korean Rocket Launch -- US Department of Defense

Rising Concerns On North Korea's Impending Missile Test

REUTERS/Bobby Yip

Even Russia And China Don't Want The North Koreans Testing a New Missile -- The Atlantic Wire

North Korea has reportedly begun to set up the first stage of a rocket they plan to launch later this month, even though their closest "allies" are advising them against the stunt. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported this morning that the first part of the three-stage rocket has been moved onto the launch platform, starting the process for a launch they say will happen between December 10 and December 22. The North Koreans claim they are putting "working satellite" into orbit, but most suspect it's actually a ballistic missile test like the one failed last April.

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More News On North Korea's Impending Missile Test

Russia, China warn North Korea about potential rocket launch -- Christian Science Monitor
Russia Urges N. Korea to Cancel Rocket Launch -- Voice of America
N. Korean Rocket Plans Proceed as Japan Warns Against Launch -- Bloomberg Businessweek
South Korea says North Korea attempting to influence their elections with rocket launch attempt -- FOX News
North Korea urged to drop rocket launch plan -- Reuters
North Korea 'installs long-range rocket at launch site' -- BBC
North Korea Gears Up to Launch Long-Range Rocket -- Product Design and Development
North Korea plans rocket launch within days -- CNN
North Korea Rocket Path Similar to April Launch -- Wall Street Journal
North Korea's rocket launch could be a massive own goal -- Simon Tisdall, The Guardian

Satellite Photos Show That North Korea Is Getting Ready For A Missile Test

This Sept. 17, 2012 satellite image provided by DigitalGlobe and annotated by the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies shows a facility in Sohae, North Korea where analysts believe rocket engines have been tested. Inside North Korea: A rare visual tour inside the reclusive and secretive country. Washington Post

Satellite Images Hint At North Korean Missile Test -- The Australian

SATELLITE images released yesterday show a flurry of recent activity at North Korea's Sohae rocket launch station, suggesting the rogue state could be eyeing a missile test as South Korea embarks on presidential elections.

Reports in Japanese newspapers this week suggested movements at the site in the west of North Korea, and the satellite image provider DigitalGlobe released images yesterday that it said confirmed preparations for a test.

DigitalGlobe said the imagery showed an increase in the number of people, trucks and other equipment at the site to levels seen in the weeks before the failed launch in April last year.

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More News On Reports That North Korea Is Getting Ready For A Missile Test

Satellite photo shows increased activity at North Korean launch site -- Reuters
New Satellite Images Suggest N. Korea Missile Activity -- Voice of America
South Korea says North is preparing for new missile launch -- Washington Post
DigitalGlobe: Images Suggest Looming N. Korea Missile Test -- Defense News/AFP
North Korea preparing for missile test, satellite photos suggest -- The Guardian
N. Korean launch site activity indicated -- UPI
North Korea Suspected of Planning Rocket Test -- New York Times

North Korea Preparing For A Long Range Missile Test

Satellite imagery of the Tongchang-ri launch facility in North Korea. Digitalglobe

North Korea Possibly Preparing Long-Range Missile Test-Report -- Reuters

Nov 23 (Reuters) - North Korea, under heavy U.N. sanctions for its nuclear weapons programme, could be preparing a long-range ballistic missile test, a Japanese newspaper said on Friday, citing officials who have seen U.S. intelligence analysis.

The report comes just weeks before South Korea's Dec. 19 presidential election in which how to handle North Korea is a major campaign issue. The isolated North has for years tried to influence major events in the South by waging propaganda or armed attacks.

North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and regional powers have for years been trying to rein in the North's nuclear programme.

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More News On Reports That North Korea Is Preparing Another Missile Test

U.S. warns of possible N. Korean missile launch -- Asahi Shimbun
U.S. Detects N.Korea Missile-Test Preparations, Asahi Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek
North Korea Preparing for Missile Launch: Japanese Media -- Defense News/AFP
N. Korea preparing to launch new long-range missile: Seoul officials -- Yonhap News Agency
North Korea prepares to launch long range missile -- The Times (Asia)

North Korea Test Fired Short Range Missile

North Korea 'Test-Fired Short-Range Missile' -- The Telegraph

North Korea test-fired one short-range missile off its west coast last week, a day after South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak held a top-level security meeting, a report said on Thursday.

The surface-to-ship missile was fired into the Yellow Sea on September 27 and travelled an estimated 50-55 miles, South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a Seoul government source as saying.

"The test-firing could be a part of the North's routine efforts to improve their capabilities and range, but there was an assessment that it could be a reaction to our government's movement," the source was quoted as saying.

On September 26 Lee and his top security officials urged North Korea to halt any attempt to sway South Korea's presidential election in December. They reiterated their vow strongly to punish the North for any provocations.

The North frequently conducts such short-range tests but their timing sometimes coincides with periods of tension.

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Update: N Korea test-fired short-range missile: report -- Brahmand.com

My Comment: The North Koreans are always sending a message.