Japan readies missiles ahead of N. Korea launch
Reuters
2012-03-27
Views 45
Japan's defence minister has ordered the military to prepare interceptor missiles ahead of North Korea's planned rocket launch next month.
The Japanese Self Defence Forces will begin preparing sites for the use of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor missiles.
Japan has said these may be used to shoot down North Korea's rocket if it looks to be threatening Japanese territory.
The Japanese delegation attending the nuclear security summit in South Korea expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's weapons programme and urged the country to exercise restraint and cancel the launch.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) YUTAKA YOKOI, PRESS SECRETARY OF JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY, SAYING:
"North Korea's launch of a missile under the guise of a satellite as recently announced is against non-proliferation efforts of the international community and violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions."
North Korea is not among the more than 50 countries represented at the summit, but the announcement of the long-range rocket launch has pushed the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programme to the forefront of the summit's agenda.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
The Japanese Self Defence Forces will begin preparing sites for the use of Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor missiles.
Japan has said these may be used to shoot down North Korea's rocket if it looks to be threatening Japanese territory.
The Japanese delegation attending the nuclear security summit in South Korea expressed "grave concern" over North Korea's weapons programme and urged the country to exercise restraint and cancel the launch.
(SOUNDBITE)(English) YUTAKA YOKOI, PRESS SECRETARY OF JAPANESE FOREIGN MINISTRY, SAYING:
"North Korea's launch of a missile under the guise of a satellite as recently announced is against non-proliferation efforts of the international community and violates relevant UN Security Council resolutions."
North Korea is not among the more than 50 countries represented at the summit, but the announcement of the long-range rocket launch has pushed the North's nuclear and ballistic missile programme to the forefront of the summit's agenda.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
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