U.S. Officials: North Korean missile launch probable

Senior State and Defense Department officials say the U.S. is powerless to stop North Korea from launching a satellite-bearing missile within the next few days, a clear breach of international law backed by the threat that Kim Jong Il will order military action if any attempts to destroy it are made.

Last month North Korea revealed plans to launch a communications satellite-bearing missile between April 4 and 8. North Korea says the launch is part of a peaceful space project.

On a Sunday talk show, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said he did not believe the U.S. could stop the launch.

The U.S. and South Korea do not believe that the missile will be launched with peaceful motives. Evidence suggests the country will instead launch a ballistic missile, not a communications satellite.

“The North Korean missile launch is not only a provocative act, but it also violates a United Nations resolution,” said Stephen Bosworth, Special Representative for North Korea Policy at the State Department. Bosworth said that any kind of missile launch violates UN sanctions.

Given the history of UN sanctions and North Korea, pressuring the country to discontinue the launch would not be an efficient solution, Bosworth said.

However, he added that there are incentives that would have a more positive effect, but did not comment on them.

Bosworth said that although unrealistic, he hopes North Korea will not go through with the launch.