North Korea reportedly has fueled missile

USA Today

North Korea referred to its missile program for the first time Monday amid reports it has apparently completed fueling for a test launch of a weapon that could reach the United States.

The Japanese newspaper Mainichi reported Monday that the North has apparently completed fueling a long-range missile, believed to be a Taepodong-2. That gives the North a launch window of about a month, the national newspaper said, citing unidentified officials in Washington familiar with U.S. and North Korean matters.

The United States, Japan, Australia and News Zealand all cautioned the impoverished country that a test of a Taepodong-2 missile would bring serious consequences and further isolate the regime. The White House has warned of an appropriate response and Japan has threatened a "fierce" protest to the United Nations.

The chances of a launch Monday were unclear, in part because of the weather at the missile site. There were cloudy skies and chances of showers in the area, with fog along the coast, said Kim Duck-wan, an official at the South's Korea Meteorological Administration.