South Korea defense officials say they have detected signs of pending North Korea missile launch: Japanese ready to intercept

“We are tracking any missile-related signs and maintain a high state of readiness,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

Citing a local government source, NHK earlier said that Japan has put its military on alert as North Korea is showing signs of launching a ballistic missile.

NHK reported that the Japanese government has ordered its military to be ready to intercept any ballistic missile to be fired by the North if it enters its territory.

Under the order, Japan’s military will deploy Aegis destroyers equipped with high-performing radars and intercept capabilities along with ground-based interception missile troops in a bid to step up surveillance.

Kyodo News also reported that signs have been detected that the North is preparing a missile launch which it speculated might be a Musudan intermediate-range missile. It said that preparations are under way in the eastern part of the country.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by test launches of many types of missiles. In April, the North attempted to fire a Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missile three times, but all of them failed.

Experts speculate that the North is preparing to fire a Musudan missile based on its analysis of the previous three botched attempts.

This comes after North Korea recently proposed holding a working-level meeting with South Korea in late May or early June in preparation for military talks. The Seoul government immediately called it a proposal without sincerity and a propaganda ploy.

SEOUL, May 30 (Yonhap)
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