South Korean and US officials said they believe Pyongyang wants to show the
new missile off at the military parade scheduled for April 15 to mark the
100th anniversary of the birthday of the founder of the nation, Kim Il-sung,
or on April 25th, which marks the founding of the North Korean army.
The government sources said they were unable to determine whether the weapon
is functional or “a life-size mock-up” at present.
Tokyo is taking the threat posed by the planned launch of the North Korean
rocket, announced for between April 12 and 16, seriously and is sending 450
troops to the southern island of Ishigaki to man Patriot Advanced
Capability-3 interceptor missiles.
The Japanese government has stated that it will shoot down the rocket if it
threatens Japanese territory.
Tokyo is also deploying state-of-the-art Aegis warships in the East China Sea
to monitor the launch. The vessels will be protected by F-15 fighters.
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