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Japanese Aegis-equipped destroyer Chokai fires an interceptor missile to shoot down the target in space, off the coast of Kauai (file photo).
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The Japanese government could deploy two arsenal ships equipped with the latest Aegis radar system and interceptor Standard Missile in the East Sea if North Korea continues to prepare for a missile test, the Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday citing a senior official at the Japanese Ministry of Defense.
But Kyodo added if a North Korean missile targets the United States, it will be difficult for Japan's SM-3 to intercept it.
Tokyo warned North Korea it would intercept not only missiles but also a satellite launched by the communist country. The Sankei Shimbun quoted Japanese Minister of Defense Yasukazu Hamada as saying, "It is natural to react to even a satellite if it can cause serious damage when it falls down to Japan."
Based on the progress of North Korea's preparations, Japan's Defense Ministry predicts the missile test will happen in mid-March, the Sankei said.
A long pipe which appears to be used to supply fuel was detected near a base in North Hamgyong province by a spy satellite, and it is highly likely that North Korea will start putting fuel into the launch rocket between Thursday and Saturday. Once the fuel is in, the launch must happen before the fuel begins to decay, probably no later than mid-March.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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