The rocket launched earlier this month by North Korea had the
capability to travel more than 6,000 miles, meaning this type of
rocket could strike the United States, South Korean defense
officials said. In remarks to reporters Friday, which were
embargoed until Sunday, three officials with South Korea's
defense ministry offered their observations about the Dec. 12
launch based on a recovered oxidizer tank that had been part of
one of the rocket's boosters. According to NASA, an oxidizer
tank contains oxygen compounds that allow rocket fuel to burn in
the atmosphere and outside of it, in space. North Korean
officials cheered what they hailed as a successful launch of a
long-range rocket, which they said put a satellite in orbit. But
the mission drew international condemnation, with many viewing
it as cover for testing of ballistic missile technology, which
the United Nations has forbidden Pyongyang from using. The South
Korean military officials said the evidence they found helps
show their nuclear-equipped ri