South Korea threatens to shoot down any rocket by North
South Korea says the North’s planned rocket launch would never be “tolerated,” threatening to destroy any projectile or debris that falls on its territory.
South Korean President Park Geun-Hye said on Thursday a rocket launch by Pyongyang following "its nuclear test is a threat to peace on the Korean peninsula and to the world, and should never be tolerated.”
Park called for strong UN sanctions to force Pyongyang to abandon the programs.
Diplomats from UN Security Council also called for fresh sanctions against North Korea.
On Tuesday, Pyongyang informed international organizations that it will launch an observation satellite aboard a rocket between February 8 and 25.
South Korea, the United States and others warned the North, saying such a move would be a cover for a banned test of a missile that could strike the United States.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed that Pyongyang had informed the UN agency about its plan to launch the 'Kwangmyongsong' satellite.
South Korea's Defense Ministry said on Thursday it’s using Aegis-equipped destroyers, aircraft, sophisticated radars and other surveillance assets to monitor the launch preparations.
“The military is ramping up its air defense readiness so it can intercept a missile or any debris that lands in our territory or waters,” ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun said.
Japan issued a similar warning, saying it will destroy any North Korean projectile that infringes on its territory.
Citing diplomatic sources, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said Pyongyang may be also preparing for a ballistic missile test from a base on its east coast along with the rocket launch.
The report claimed that “a mobile launch pad in North Korea’s eastern coastal area was on the move.”
US officials also warned against the launch and said it would threaten regional security and violate UN Security Council resolutions.
North Korea, however, accuses the US of plotting with regional allies to topple its government.
Pyongyang says it will not relinquish its nuclear deterrence unless the US ends its hostile policy toward North Korea and dissolves the US-led military command in South Korea.
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