N Korea could launch rocket ‘as early as Monday’

Satellite images taken this week of North Korea's Sohae rocket launch site show apparent fuelling activity seen in the past shortly before a rocket launch, a US think-tank said, as US government officials signalled that a launch could occur as early as Monday.

North Korea has told UN agencies it will launch a rocket carrying what it called an earth observation satellite sometime between 8 and 25 February, triggering international opposition from governments that see it as a long-range missile test.

On Friday, US government sources said US intelligence agencies believed North Korea could be ready by Sunday, which will be Monday in Korea. Activity at the site was consistent with a launch in the time frame given by Pyongyang, US officials said.

US Pacific Command said it was closely monitoring the situation and had many missile defence assets in the region that would provide "a robust defence."

"No one should doubt that US Pacific Command forces are prepared to protect the American homeland and defend our allies in South Korea and Japan," said Pacific Command spokesman US Navy Captain Cody Chiles.

Commercial satellite images from Wednesday and Thursday show the arrival of tanker trucks at the launch pad, said Washington-based 38 North, a North Korea-monitoring project. It said the presence of the trucks likely indicated the filling of tanks within bunkers at the site rather than a rocket itself.

"In the past, such activity has occurred one to two weeks prior to a launch event and would be consistent with North Korea's announced launch window," the group said.

On Friday, US President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with President Xi Jinping of China, North Korea's main ally and neighbour, and agreed that a North Korean launch would represent a "provocative and destabilizing action", the White House said.

Obama and Xi also said they would coordinate efforts to respond to North Korea's nuclear test last month, and said they would not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapon state.

"The leaders emphasized the importance of a strong and united international response to North Korea's provocations, including through an impactful UN Security Council Resolution," the White House said.

Washington and Beijing have appeared divided over how to respond to North Korea, with the United States urging tougher sanctions and China stressing the need for dialogue.

Earlier on Friday, Xi told South Korea's president that China was dedicated to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula.

The 38 North report said activity could also be seen around a building at the launch site used in the past to receive and assemble rocket stages.

It said the imagery showed vehicles including one or two buses and a crane, a level of activity similar to that seen before the previous launch in 2012.

The group said the images indicated no significant changes at the launch pad itself, where work platforms on the gantry towers remained folded forward. It said coverings obscured whether a space-launch vehicle was present on the pad.

North Korea says it has a sovereign right to pursue a space programme. But it is barred under UN. Security Council resolutions from using ballistic missile technology.