Background: the threat from North Korea's Taepodong-2 missile

Amongst all the recent sabre-rattling, threats, and evidence of imminent missile launches by the North Korean regime (DPRK), the success or otherwise of the launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Taepodong-2 is being taken very seriously by North Korea's regional neighbours.

Various Western intelligence sources have said there are credible signs DPRK military has moved its most sophisticated and dangerous missile to a launch pad near Dongchang-ni on the country's west coast ready for testing.

Both the South Korean government and Japan have warned of the possibility of an imminent launch from the North.

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