DPRK test: Japan, US mount defenses

The United States and Japan yesterday stepped up efforts to intercept and shoot down a missile and debris from it if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) tests one in the coming days.

DPRK has said that it will launch a communications satellite into orbit between April 4 and 8 as part of its space development program. But regional powers suspect Pyongyang is using the launch to test long-range ballistic missile technology, which would violate UN sanctions.

The US deployed a missile-interceptor ship from the Republic of Korea (ROK) yesterday while Japan's military deployed Patriot missile interceptors around Tokyo and sent warships to the Sea of Japan, officials said.

US Forces Korea dispatched an Aegis-equipped destroyer and plans to send another one later from the ROK port of Busan, a US military spokesman said without offering details. Aegis radar systems enable vessels to locate, track and shoot down missiles.

US Navy officials confirmed that five Aegis-equipped destroyers are also docked at Japan's Yokosuka port, just south of Tokyo.

In Japan, defense ministry officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to protocol, said yesterday that land-to-air missiles have been readied in Tokyo and warships armed with interceptors were deployed to the Sea of Japan. They also said a shipment of more Patriot missiles arrived in a northern Japan port yesterday, and were to be transferred to two northern bases by land.

Japan is particularly concerned about the launch because the multistage rocket is expected to pass over its airspace.

To prepare for any dangers caused by a failed launch, batteries of PAC-3 land-to-air missile interceptors were sent to Akita and Iwate, the two prefectures that the rocket is expected to fly over, the defense ministry official said, adding that preparations to defend the area around Tokyo from falling debris are already complete.

ROK also plans to dispatch one of its missile intercepting destroyers closer to the launch date, officials have said.

DPRK has installed the completed three-stage rocket on a launch pad at its Musudan-ri missile base on the east coast but it was unclear what was at the top of the rocket, the Institute for Science and International Security said at the weekend based on an analysis of satellite imagery.

DPRK is expected to start fuelling the rocket this week, starting a process experts said takes three to four days to prepare it for launch. US spy satellites can watch the moves at the Musudan-ri missile base.

Weather forecasts for the area indicate rain on Saturday, the first planned day for the launch, followed by clear skies.

DPRK has said the launch is for the peaceful purpose of sending a satellite into orbit, while the US, ROK and Japan see it as a disguised test of the Taepodong-2 missile and a violation of UN sanctions.

China believes in peace

The Chinese army believes that it is better to focus on peace initiatives than to take steps that can make the DPRK situation worse, a Chinese air force general said yesterday.

a Chinese air force general said yesterday ahead of Pyongyang's planned satellite launch, which is believed to be a guise for testing a long-range missile.

"China adopts the idea of peace," said Lieutenant General Liu Chengjun, director of Beijing-based Academy of Military Science, on the sidelines of high-level Sino-ASEAN defense talks in Beijing.

The lieutenant general said China's actions have focused on how to avoid tensions and not in intensifying the situation. He urged all parties to restrain from making radical comments and actions.

China Daily and Agencies

(China Daily 03/31/2009 page11)