新的卫星图片显示，朝鲜火箭基地上增加了太空发射的准备工作。美国认为朝鲜的卫星发射是为远程导弹试验作掩护。约翰·霍普金斯大学高级国际问题研究 学院美韩研究所星期天表示，上星期三拍摄的卫星图片显示，东仓里基地出现了此前没有的一台移动式雷达拖车，以及几排看上去是空的燃料桶和氧化剂贮藏罐。美 韩研究学院说，这些照片还显示，发射台组装楼附近似乎有活动。据报道，朝鲜的“银河3号”多级火箭就存放在那里。
平壤表示，这次发射将把一颗卫星送入轨道，用于庆祝这个共产党国家的已故开国领导人、金正恩的祖父金日成百年诞辰。美国、俄罗斯、韩国和日本谴责了朝鲜的发射计划。就连朝鲜的长期盟友中国都罕见地表示反对。联合国秘书长潘基文说，他感到“非常担忧”。
New satellite images of a North Korean rocket site show evidence of increased preparation for a space launch that Washington sees as cover for a long-range missile test. The U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies said Sunday that satellite photos taken last Wednesday show a mobile radar trailer, not previously present at the new Tongchang-ri site, and rows of what appear to be empty fuel and oxidizer tanks. The Institute said the photos also show what appears to be activity near the launcher assembly building, where news reports indicate the stages of the Unha-3 rocket are located.
Pyongyang says the launch will put a functional satellite into orbit as part of the celebration of the 100th birthday of the late leader Kim Il Sung, the founder of the communist state and Kim Jong Un's grandfather. The United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan all have condemned the planned launch. Even Pyongyang's long-time ally, China, has expressed rare disapproval, while U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned."