This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20636671
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
US moves warships to track North Korea rocket launch | US moves warships to track North Korea rocket launch |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The US is moving navy ships into position to track a North Korean rocket due to launch later this month. | The US is moving navy ships into position to track a North Korean rocket due to launch later this month. |
The warships were moved to achieve "the best situational awareness", the US military chief in the region said. | The warships were moved to achieve "the best situational awareness", the US military chief in the region said. |
Japan's government, meanwhile, has formally issued an order to its military to shoot down any rocket debris that infringes on its territory. | Japan's government, meanwhile, has formally issued an order to its military to shoot down any rocket debris that infringes on its territory. |
North Korea plans to launch its rocket between 10 and 22 December, saying it will put a satellite into space. | North Korea plans to launch its rocket between 10 and 22 December, saying it will put a satellite into space. |
The US and other nations say the launch constitutes a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions. | The US and other nations say the launch constitutes a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions. |
North Korea conducted a similar launch in April 2012, but the rocket flew only for a short time before crashing into waters off the Korean peninsula. | North Korea conducted a similar launch in April 2012, but the rocket flew only for a short time before crashing into waters off the Korean peninsula. |
This launch window includes two key dates - 17 December marks the first anniversary of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and 19 December is when South Korea's presidential election takes place. | This launch window includes two key dates - 17 December marks the first anniversary of the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and 19 December is when South Korea's presidential election takes place. |
Missile interceptors | Missile interceptors |
South Korea's Yonhap news agency - citing unidentified sources - reports that all three stages of the rocket are now in place at the launch site and that fuel is being injected into a storage tank, after which the rocket will be fuelled. | South Korea's Yonhap news agency - citing unidentified sources - reports that all three stages of the rocket are now in place at the launch site and that fuel is being injected into a storage tank, after which the rocket will be fuelled. |
But a US think-tank says preparations may not be this far advanced, citing satellite images of the launch site. | |
Snow had forced a temporary halt to work on 4 December, the US-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins University said on its 38 North website, but the North Koreans still had time to complete preparations on schedule. | |
Based on co-ordinates provided by Pyongyang, the rocket is expected to fly south - with stages dropping into the sea west of the Korean peninsula and then east of the Philippines. | Based on co-ordinates provided by Pyongyang, the rocket is expected to fly south - with stages dropping into the sea west of the Korean peninsula and then east of the Philippines. |
Admiral Samuel Locklear, head of US forces in the Asia-Pacific region, said preparations for the launch were being watched "very closely". | Admiral Samuel Locklear, head of US forces in the Asia-Pacific region, said preparations for the launch were being watched "very closely". |
On the warships, he said it "should seem logical that we'll move them around so we have the best situational awareness". | On the warships, he said it "should seem logical that we'll move them around so we have the best situational awareness". |
"To the degree that those [navy] ships are capable of participating in ballistic missile defense, then we will position them to be able to do that," he said. | "To the degree that those [navy] ships are capable of participating in ballistic missile defense, then we will position them to be able to do that," he said. |
The rocket's flight plan also takes it close to parts of Japan's Okinawa prefecture. The Japanese government has pledged to shoot down any debris that falls over its territory. | The rocket's flight plan also takes it close to parts of Japan's Okinawa prefecture. The Japanese government has pledged to shoot down any debris that falls over its territory. |
It is deploying three warships equipped with missile interceptors and is also positioning PAC-3 missile interceptors on the ground at four locations in Okinawa prefecture, Kyodo news agency said. | It is deploying three warships equipped with missile interceptors and is also positioning PAC-3 missile interceptors on the ground at four locations in Okinawa prefecture, Kyodo news agency said. |
All Nippon Airways, meanwhile, says it is adjusting flight plans to avoid the area off the Philippines where the second stage of the rocket may fall. | All Nippon Airways, meanwhile, says it is adjusting flight plans to avoid the area off the Philippines where the second stage of the rocket may fall. |
Similar preparations by the US and Japanese militaries were seen ahead of the failed launch in April. But the 30m (100ft) Unha-3 rocket is thought to have flown for only minutes before breaking up. | Similar preparations by the US and Japanese militaries were seen ahead of the failed launch in April. But the 30m (100ft) Unha-3 rocket is thought to have flown for only minutes before breaking up. |
North Korea has not yet successfully launched a three-stage rocket, despite four attempts since 1998. It is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland. | North Korea has not yet successfully launched a three-stage rocket, despite four attempts since 1998. It is believed to be working on the development of a long-range missile capable of reaching the west coast of the US mainland. |
The US and its allies say the rocket launches represent banned tests of ballistic missile technology because the basic technology is the same. | The US and its allies say the rocket launches represent banned tests of ballistic missile technology because the basic technology is the same. |
Previous version
1
Next version