North Korea’s missile launch may be imminent, says Seoul
8 April 2013 7:49 AM IST
A top South Korean security official said on Sunday that North Korea may test-launch a missile this week, as the United States delayed its own missile test due to soaring tensions on the peninsula.
Kim Jang-soo, chief national security adviser to President Park Geun-hye, said a test-launch or other provocation could come before or after Wednesday, the date by which the North has suggested that diplomats leave Pyongyang.
North Korea, incensed by UN sanctions following its nuclear and missile tests and by South Korean-US military drills, has issued a series of apocalyptic threats of nuclear war in recent weeks.
It has also reportedly loaded two medium-range missiles on mobile launchers and hidden them in underground facilities near its east coast, raising speculation it is preparing for a provocative launch.
‘There are no signs of a full-scale war as of now, but the North will have to prepare for retaliation in case of any local war,’ said Kim.
The spate of threats was intended to force the South and the United States to reach out with face-saving concessions, he said.
Diplomats fear the rhetoric has created a situation which could spiral out of control, and the US delayed an intercontinental ballistic missile test to avoid stoking tensions with the North. A US defence official said defense secretary Chuck Hagel postponed the Minuteman 3 test at Vandenberg air force base until next month due to concerns it ‘might be misconstrued by some as suggesting that we wish to exacerbate.’
JAPAN TO ORDER SHOOTING DOWN OF WAYWARD NORTH KOREAN MISSILES: REPORTS
Japan will order its armed forces to shoot down any North Korean missile headed towards its territory, press reports said Sunday as Pyongyang was reportedly readying to fire one.
The order may be issued by defence minister Itsunori Onodera on Sunday or ‘in a day or two,’ the Yomiuri newspaper and the Jiji news agency reported.
The order would not be made public so as not to alarm the public, the Kyodo news agency quoted government sources as saying.
Under the order, Aegis destroyers equipped with sea-based interceptor missiles would be deployed in the Sea of Japan so they could intercept a North Korean missile if it appeared likely to land in Japanese territory, Kyodo said.
According to South Korean media, North Korea has loaded two intermediate-range missiles on mobile launchers and hidden them near its east coast, fuelling fear of an imminent launch that may further escalate tensions.
North Korea also also gave an evacuation advisory to some foreign embassies in the capital Pyongyang, warning it could not guarantee their safety after April 10 if a conflict broke out, although most appeared to be staying put.
Japan’s defence ministry has issued such an order three times in the past — in April 2009 and in April and December last year.
Kim Jang-soo, chief national security adviser to President Park Geun-hye, said a test-launch or other provocation could come before or after Wednesday, the date by which the North has suggested that diplomats leave Pyongyang.
North Korea, incensed by UN sanctions following its nuclear and missile tests and by South Korean-US military drills, has issued a series of apocalyptic threats of nuclear war in recent weeks.
It has also reportedly loaded two medium-range missiles on mobile launchers and hidden them in underground facilities near its east coast, raising speculation it is preparing for a provocative launch.
‘There are no signs of a full-scale war as of now, but the North will have to prepare for retaliation in case of any local war,’ said Kim.
The spate of threats was intended to force the South and the United States to reach out with face-saving concessions, he said.
Diplomats fear the rhetoric has created a situation which could spiral out of control, and the US delayed an intercontinental ballistic missile test to avoid stoking tensions with the North. A US defence official said defense secretary Chuck Hagel postponed the Minuteman 3 test at Vandenberg air force base until next month due to concerns it ‘might be misconstrued by some as suggesting that we wish to exacerbate.’
JAPAN TO ORDER SHOOTING DOWN OF WAYWARD NORTH KOREAN MISSILES: REPORTS
Japan will order its armed forces to shoot down any North Korean missile headed towards its territory, press reports said Sunday as Pyongyang was reportedly readying to fire one.
The order may be issued by defence minister Itsunori Onodera on Sunday or ‘in a day or two,’ the Yomiuri newspaper and the Jiji news agency reported.
The order would not be made public so as not to alarm the public, the Kyodo news agency quoted government sources as saying.
Under the order, Aegis destroyers equipped with sea-based interceptor missiles would be deployed in the Sea of Japan so they could intercept a North Korean missile if it appeared likely to land in Japanese territory, Kyodo said.
According to South Korean media, North Korea has loaded two intermediate-range missiles on mobile launchers and hidden them near its east coast, fuelling fear of an imminent launch that may further escalate tensions.
North Korea also also gave an evacuation advisory to some foreign embassies in the capital Pyongyang, warning it could not guarantee their safety after April 10 if a conflict broke out, although most appeared to be staying put.
Japan’s defence ministry has issued such an order three times in the past — in April 2009 and in April and December last year.
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