Activity at N. Korean Missile Base?

South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies have detected several large vehicles around the eastern coastal missile base in Gitdaeryeong, Anbyeon, Gangwon in North Korea where it fired short- and medium-range missiles in July.

On September 3, several large vehicles were detected by a U.S. patrol satellite around Gitdaeryeong where six Scud and Rodong missiles out of seven missiles were launched by North Korea on July 5. Seoul and Washington do not rule out the possibility that Pyongyang has begun preparing additional missile launches, according to a source in the South Korean government.

It is not confirmed whether the vehicles were equipped with parts to be used for setting up mobile launch pads. Yet, it is highly likely, according to some sources.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries reportedly anticipate that North Korea could launch missiles around September 14 when President Roh Moo-hyun and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush are scheduled to hold summit talks in Washington.

Meanwhile, given that the United States successfully carried out a missile interception test on September 1 (local time), establishing its missile defense system equivalent to the Taepodong 2 missile in terms of scale and the speed, the possibility of another round of militant provocations by the isolated regime is being raised by military circles.

Considering the various scenarios of possible North Korean brinkmanship, including additional missile fires, South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are watching several missile bases such as Gitdaeryeong and other places suspected to have nuclear facilities, a source added.

ysh1005@donga.com