N Korea missile on launch pad

North Korea has placed a long-range missile capable of reaching the US on a launch pad, suggesting that the Stalinist state intends to go ahead with a planned satellite launch in early April.

A US official confirmed to the Financial Times that Pyongyang had erected a Taepodong-2 intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] at the Musudan-ri launching site in eastern North Korea.

In 2006, North Korea fired a three-stage Taeponong-2, which has the technical range to reach the continental US, but the rocket failed shortly into flight. While Pyongyang insists the pending launch is a satellite, some experts believe they simply want to test the ICBM.

“It does appear that a Taepodong-2 missile has been placed on the launch pad, which suggests that the North Koreans may be nearing a launch, although the precise timing of such an event—if a decision is made to go through with it—remains unclear,” said a US counter-proliferation official.

“I can't rule out the possibility of a launch within the coming days.”

North Korea previously said it would launch a satellite between April 4 and 8. South Korea, Japan, and the US have warned North Korea not to launch a rocket – even one carrying a satellite – saying it would breach a UN resolution, which was introduced after the 2006 Taepondong-2 test.

A Pentagon spokesman declined to say whether the US has turned its nascent missile defence system into operational mode. The US switched on the system in 2006 after spy satellites detected activity at Musudan-ri.

“We stand ready to defend US territory, our allies and our national interests,” said Major Stewart Upton, the Pentagon spokesman. “The US closely monitors threats to international security and is ready to respond when appropriate to crises wherever they may arise.”