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May 31, 2016

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Japan puts military on alert for NK launch

Source: Agencies | May 31, 2016, Tuesday | Print Edition

JAPAN put its military on alert yesterday for a possible North Korean ballistic missile firing, while South Korea also said it had detected evidence of launch preparations, officials from Japan and South Korea said.

Tensions have been high since North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and followed that with a satellite launch and test launches of various missiles.

Japan ordered destroyers and anti-ballistic missile Patriot batteries to be ready to shoot down any projectile heading for Japan, Japan’s NHK state broadcaster said.

A Japanese official, who declined to be identified, confirmed the order. A spokesmen for Japan’s defense ministry declined to comment.

A Patriot missile battery on the grounds of Japan’s defense ministry had its missile tubes elevated to a firing position.

The South Korean defense official wouldn’t comment on what type of missile might be launched but South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said officials believe it would be an intermediate-range Musudan missile.

“We’ve detected a sign and are tracking that. We are fully prepared,” said the South Korean official, who also declined to be identified.

Japan has put its anti-ballistic missile forces on alert at least twice this year after detecting signs of launches by North Korea.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests this year triggered new UN sanctions but it seems determined to press ahead with its weapons programs.

Last Friday, leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Barack Obama, met in Japan and demanded that North Korea comply with a UN Security Council resolution to stop all nuclear and missile tests and refrain from provocative action.

On the same day, North Korea threatened to retaliate against South Korea after it fired what it said were warning shots when boats from North Korea crossed a disputed sea border off the west coast of the Korean Peninsula.

Japan has advanced Aegis vessels in the Sea of Japan able to track multiple targets.

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