South Korea predicts ICBM launch on Saturday

A “GRAVE situation” is emerging amid predictions Kim Jong-un will conduct another missile test on his country’s national day.

North Korea launched an intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket Hwasong-12 last month with fears it will conduct another launch as early as Saturday. Picture: AFP/KCNA

SEOUL is bracing for the worst with predictions Kim Jong-un will conduct another intercontinental missile test as early as tomorrow.

South Korea’s Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon said the North could launch the ICBM to coincide with the country’s National Day on September 9.

The day is one of the biggest in the North Korean calendar and celebrates the official establishment of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK.)

Mr Lee told a conference in Seoul yesterday that the world was running out of time before the North becomes a full nuclear-armed state, CNN reported.

“The situation is very grave,” he said.

“It doesn’t seem much time is left before North Korea achieves its complete nuclear armament.

“Some believe North Korea may launch another intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the 9th, this time at an ordinary angle.

“A special measure is urgently needed to stop their recklessness.”

South Korean marines participate in an exercise on Wednesday in Baengnyeong Island in a show of force directed at its rival. Picture: South Korean Defense Ministry/Getty Images

North Korea sparked global alarm after carrying out its sixth and largest nuclear test last weekend.

Pyongyang claimed it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb that could be mounted on a missile. The test follows two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) launches last month, one of which flew over Japan.

North Korea often uses national days to carry out military displays or tests.

However John Hallam, a UN nuclear disarmament campaigner, told news.com.au that North Korea liked to play games and keep the world guessing.

“Bear in mind that almost every time, but not absolutely every time, a test or launch is predicted they don’t do it,” he said.

“And then when they do do it, it comes as it were, out of left field.”

Mr Hallam said if South Korea’s ministry of defence is predicting a test will take place then there was a 50 per cent probability it will occur.

Mr Hallam said South Korea’s talk of special measures to prevent such a test was ridiculous.

“I don’t know what kind of nonsense this is — if the DPRK decides to test tomorrow then they will test, and all our supplications and prayers and even more so all our threats will only make them more determined to test,” he said.

“For the short to medium term, it looks as if the DPRK will be a significant nuclear power, with relatively large weapons and global reach. We’d better get used to it.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un pictured before the test of a hydrogen bomb. Picture: KCNA/AFP

MISSILE MOVE

Earlier this week, Pyongyang sparked global alarm once again after reports emerged that it was moving what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile towards its west coast.

An unidentified intelligence source told South Korea’s Asia Business Daily a rocket was spotted being moved under the cover of darkness to avoid surveillance.

North Korea has launch facilities for its missile program on its west coast.

Brendan Thomas-Noone from the US Studies Centre told news.com.au earlier this week that Pyongyang now has the technology that allows it to launch missiles from road mobile launchers, on any flat surface.

Mr Thomas-Noone, an expert in nuclear deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, said Kim may have moved the rocket on purpose to demonstrate to his rivals that they will struggle to track and destroy its weapons.

WAR GAMES

Seoul’s warning of a possible launch comes as the US military finished installing more launchers on its hi-tech missile-defence system.

The instillation of four new launchers, designed to help protect the South against North Korean threats, sparked protests and clashes in the village of Soseong-ri.

Vehicles carrying rocket launchers for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system head for Seongju to counter North Korea’s repeated nuclear and missile provocations. Picture: Yonhap News Agency/AAP

Two launchers and a powerful radar are already in place at the site as part of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system.

Seoul’s defence ministry confirmed four new launchers were being installed on a former golf course near Seongju City, 217 kilometres south of the capital.

The system, which has been set up with assistance from the US, is expected to fully operational by the end of the year.

The full THAAD includes three to six truck-mounted launchers which can carry about 50 interceptor missiles.

This is backed up by a long-range radar, hailed as the world’s most advanced mobile radar.

— with wires