The Government of Japan has ordered the Armed Forces to begin preparations for the imminent launch of a spy satellite in North Korea, specifically because of the risk of the rocket debris falling on Japanese territory.
Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada gave the order just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ordered his space agency to begin final preparations for the launch, for which Pyongyang has not set a date.
The Japanese Armed Forces plan to deploy Patriot systems and send several ships equipped with the Aegis combat system, according to government sources quoted by the Kiodo news agency. It is also considering positioning the more powerful PAC-3 system to extend its range.
»We will prepare to be able to respond to any circumstances that could cause damage in Japan,» one of the sources said.
The South Korean government has also warned in recent days of a possible »provocation» by Kim Jong Un’s regime in the coming days, coinciding with a state visit to the United States by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
