Japan deploys interceptors for launch

Japan completed the deployment of interceptor missiles on Monday, the country's Defense Ministry said, as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has moved all three stages of a long-range rocket into position for a controversial satellite launch.

Japan's Self-Defense Force has installed ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors on Okinawa, Ishigaki and Miyako islands and in Tokyo, Xinhua News Agency cited the ministry's official Takaaki Oono as saying.

A ground-based Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor is seen in Tokyo on April 9, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

In addition, three Maritime Self-Defense Force Aegis destroyers are on their way to the East China Sea, according to the ministry.

"Japan's intercepting maneuvers are worth focusing on," said Chen Qi, an expert on East Asian studies at Tsinghua University.

The planned launch of the DPRK's rocket will add more uncertainty to the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, Chen said.

The DPRK has announced plans to launch an observation satellite using a three-stage rocket between Thursday and April 16 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the country's founder Kim Il-sung.

The Kwangmyongsong-3 satellite will be launched using a long-range rocket from the DPRK's northwest. Pyongyang has insisted that the launch is a scientific achievement intended to improve the nation's economy.

However, the satellite launch plan has aroused concerns from the international community. The United States, Japan, Britain and other nations have urged the DPRK to cancel the launch, warning that firing the long-range rocket would violate UN resolutions and Pyongyang's promise to suspend its nuclear and missile activity.

According to Xinhua, an official from the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Republic of Korea told reporters at a briefing on Monday that the ROK and the US "are keeping close tabs on movements" related to what the official called the DPRK's "long-range missile launch".

The ROK military is "fully prepared" to respond to any acts of provocation, Xinhua cited an ROK official, who declined to be named, as saying.

The ROK has said it might shoot down the rocket if it strays into its territory.

Philippine Airlines said on Monday that a dozen of its planes from the US, Japan and the ROK would be diverted from the rocket's potential path to protect its passengers, according to The Associated Press.

On Sunday, the DPRK invited a group of about 70 foreign journalists to visit the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in the DPRK's northwest and observe the 30-meter high Unha-3 rocket, which will carry the Kwangmyongsong-3 into space.

"It is a carrier rocket but not a ballistic missile," Xinhua quoted Jang Myung-jin, who is in charge of the station, as saying. He said the launch was a peaceful program aimed at developing the DPRK's economy and raising the people's standard of living.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday that China has maintained contact with the parties involved about Pyongyang's satellite launch, but did not respond to a question over whether China would send officials to view the satellite launch.

The ministry has expressed China's concern about the development of the situation and called on all relevant parties to take a broad and long-term perspective, remain calm and exercise restraint, and seek proper solutions to relevant issues through diplomatic channels and peaceful means.

zhouwa@chinadaily.com.cn