|
North Korea's official announcement on Tuesday that it would launch a satellite, not a missile, could affect the response of the U.S., which has warned it could intercept any missile that was fired at the American mainland.
While few believe the satellite claim, the announcement means the projectile can only be intercepted if positively identified as a missile to avoid charges of violating North Korea's sovereignty.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Feb. 10 said that his government could intercept a long-range missile aimed at the American mainland. Both Seoul and Washington believe the projectile to be tested is a Taepodong-2 missile, whose maximum range of 6,700 km would make it capable of reaching Alaska, in which case the U.S. would intercept it.
In the vertical climbing stage after launch, Aegis ships in the East Sea or waters near Japan could intercept the missile with SM-3 missiles. In the second stage, when the missile leaves the atmosphere, the U.S. would launch ground-based interceptor missiles from Fort Greeley in Alaska. Or when it approaches Alaska, Aegis ships deployed in nearby waters could fire SM-3s.
Experts speculate that the first is least likely since it will take time to identify the projectile.
To avoid provoking a war, experts speculate that the North will probably make sure the missile flies only 3,000-4,000 km and drops into the high seas of the North Pacific, which would the warhead will likely drop into an area outside the range of the U.S.' GBI or SM-3 missiles.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
