This satellite image released by DigitalGlobe shows what appears to be a three-stage launch vehicle on the launch pad in Musudan-ni on North Korea's east coast, said Tim Brown, an analyst for Globalsecurity.org.
SEOUL, South Korea – Japanese, South Korean and U.S. missile-destroying ships set sail to monitor North Korea’s imminent rocket launch, as Pyongyang stoked tensions Monday by detaining a South Korean worker for allegedly denouncing the North’s political system.
North Korea says it will send a communications satellite into orbit between April 4 and 8. The U.S., South Korea and Japan suspect the regime is using the launch to test long-range missile technology, and warn it would face U.N. sanctions.
North Korea has threatened to quit international talks on its nuclear disarmament if punished with sanctions.
In preparation for the launch, Japan deployed Patriot missiles around Tokyo and sent warships armed with interceptor missiles to the waters between Japan and the Korean peninsula as a precaution, defense officials said.
Two U.S. destroyers anchored at a South Korean port were believed to have departed for waters near North Korea to monitor the rocket launch.
South Korea also planned to dispatch its Aegis-equipped destroyer, according to a Seoul military official who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.
The warships are equipped with sophisticated combat systems enabling them to track and shoot down enemy missiles. Still, leaders of the three countries indicated it was unlikely the warships would respond militarily to the North’s launch.