North Korea reportedly installed the third and final stage of its long-range rocket as diplomats from the U.S., Japan and South Korea met in Washington to coordinate a response. The rapid installation has led some South Korean officials to say that if fueling takes place over the weekend, the rocket may be launched as soon as between December 10 and 12^th.

In the probable event that North Korea decides to ignore international concern and goes ahead with the launch, Lim Sung-nam, South Korea’s special representative for Korean Peninsula Peace and Security, said that the UN Security council should “take appropriate steps in case of a rocket launch in line with its presidential statement adopted after Pyongyang’s previous long-range rocket launch in April.”