North Korea places missile on launch pad: report

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http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE52O4OC20090325

North Korea places missile on launch pad: report

Wed Mar 25, 2009 12:22pm EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea has positioned what is believed to be a

Taepodong-2 long-range ballistic missile on its launch pad at a facility in

Musudanri, Japan's Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday, citing " sources

close to Japan-U.S. relations. "

North Korea has said it would launch a satellite between April 4 and April 8.

Regional powers see the launch as a disguised test of its longest-range missile

and a violation of U.N. sanctions forbidding the reclusive state from firing

ballistic missiles.

North Korea has given international agencies notice of the rocket's planned

trajectory that would take it over Japan, dropping booster stages to its east

and west.

Analysts said the notice was given to help the North argue the rocket launch

does not violate U.N. sanctions put in place after it test-launched a series of

missiles in 2006.

(Reporting by Gray, Editing by Walsh)