Japan orders to 'destroy debris' of DPRK's rocket

Japan's Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (3rd L) delivers a speech to Japan Self-Defense Forces soldiers in front of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) land-to-air missiles unit, at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo Dec 7, 2012. Japan's government have deployed PAC-3 interceptor missiles to prepare for the launch of a DPRK's rocket to the southwestern prefecture and waters around it. Missiles were also deployed at three sites in Tokyo and surrounding areas, one of which the Defense Ministry, local media reported.[Photo/Agencies]

TOKYO - Japanese Defense Minister Satoshi Morimoto ordered Japan's Self-Defense Force to destroy any wreckage from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) rocket if it falls into Japanese territory Friday, reported by local media.

The Japanese government held a security meeting involving Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and other cabinet members on discussing how to deal with DPRK's long-range rocket launch.

"All the preparations will be completed one day before the earliest launch date," Morimoto said at a news conference.

"Japan is ready to launch something during the 13-day-period from next Monday in case the Japanese people's safety is threatened," said Japanese media. Three units of ground-based Patriot Advance Capability-3 interceptors have been installed at three places including Defense Ministry in central Tokyo and areas near the capital.

DPRK has announced that it plans to launch a three-stage rocket between Dec 10 and 22 to put a satellite into orbit.  

The launch is seen as a test of a long-range ballistic missile in disguise, with The United States and its allies calling the launch plan a "grave provocation."

This would be DPRK's second launch under leader Kim Jong-un, who took power following his father Kim Jong-il's death nearly a year ago. The country's previous attempt in April ended in failure.

 

Special coverage: DPRK rocket launch

 

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