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Satellite images 'show N Korea rocket launch activity' Japan will intercept N Korean rocket if necessary
(about 1 hour later)
New satellite images of North Korea appear to show the country preparing for the launch of a rocket next month. Japan says it will shoot down a North Korean rocket if necessary, as new satellite images appeared to show preparations for the launch next month.
The photos, taken on Wednesday, indicate that work at the Tongchang-ri site is under way, according to analysis by a US university. Defence Minister Naoki Tanaka issued the order to intercept the rocket if it threatened Japan's territory.
Pyongyang says it plans to fire a rocket to put a satellite into orbit next month to mark the centennial of the birth of Kim Il-sung. Pyongyang said it is launching a satellite on a rocket between 12-16 April.
The move has sparked international criticism. Satellite images taken on Wednesday indicate that work at the launch site is under way, says a US university.
North Korea claims the launch - which is scheduled for between 12-16 April - is only a satellite and is for scientific purposes. Mr Tanaka had issued href="http://www.mod.go.jp/e/pressconf/2012/03/120327.html" >an earlier order on Tuesday to the country's defence forces to prepare ''destruction measures against ballistic missiles''.
But the US and North Korea's neighbours insist it will be a disguised long-range missile test, breaking the terms of an agreement made last month and contravening UN resolutions. On Friday, he told reporters in Tokyo that he had received cabinet approval to shoot down the rocket if necessary.
The country began preparing missile defence systems last week.
'Peaceful purposes'
Pyongyang said it plans to fire a rocket to put a satellite into orbit next month to mark the centennial of the birth of founding leader Kim Il-sung.
The move has sparked international criticism. North Korea claims the launch is for scientific research and ''peaceful purposes''.
But the United States and North Korea's neighbours insist it will be a disguised long-range missile test, contravening UN resolutions.
The resolutions were imposed after a similar launch in April 2009. Japan is particularly concerned as the last North Korean rocket was launched over the north of the country. It is thought that this rocket will pass close to south-western Japan.
The controversial launch also comes only weeks after North Korea agreed to return to talks on its nuclear programme in return for food aid - a deal which is now on hold.
The new satellite images, taken by a private US firm, DigitalGlobe, show that preparations are proceeding at the Tongchang-dong launch site in North Korea.
An analysis published on the 38 North website by the US-Korea Institute at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) said that ''activity has been ongoing'' at the site since last week.
''Unless some major setback occurs, the North Koreans will be able to launch during the declared launch window starting 12 April 2012,'' said the article by the institute at the Johns Hopkins University.