">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch plan
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch plan
By HYUNGJIN KIM,Associated Press Writer AP - Saturday, March 14
SEOUL, South Korea - Japan hinted it could down an incoming North Korean rocket, but analysts said the communist country will go ahead with a planned April launch with little fear of the consequences.
ADVERTISEMENT
The North announced this week it will send a satellite into orbit between April 4-8, saying it would fly over Japan and designating a "danger" zone off the neighboring country in order to warn international shipping and aviation to avoid the area.
The rocket's first stage is expected to fall in waters less than 75 miles (120 kilometers) from Japan's northwestern shore, according to coordinates Pyongyang provided to U.N. agencies. The other zone where the second stage should fall lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean between Japan and Hawaii.
The U.S. and other governments have warned that any rocket launch _ whether missile test or satellite _ would violate a 2006 U.N. Security Council resolution banning North Korea from ballistic missile activity.
"We protest a launch, and strongly demand it be canceled," Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said Friday.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said the country reserves the right to take out the rocket if it looks like it could hit.
"Legally speaking, if this object falls toward Japan, we can shoot it down for safety reasons," he said.
Japan, which was shaken in 1998 when a North Korean missile flew over its territory and landed in the Pacific, has since moved to develop missile defense capabilities with some success. It downed a ballistic missile from a ship at sea in a 2007 test.
Lance Gatling, an independent defense analyst, said the country is capable of intercepting a medium-range missile. North Korea, though, is expected to fire a long-range rocket next month.
He said the most efficient way to launch a satellite into orbit is to send it eastward toward Japan because of the Earth's motion.
Masao Okonogi, an international relations professor at Tokyo's Keio University, said Japanese officials feel they have little choice but to engage in strong rhetoric.
"Government officials are talking tough because they don't want to be seen as passive in the face of a North Korean launch," he said.
Other analysts say North Korea is likely to stick with its plan despite intense international criticism as it has little to fear and much to gain by following through with what is seen as an attempt to bolster its standing in nuclear negotiations with the United States.
"After the launch, there will be a little bit of noise but that will pass and things will move on to the next stage," said Kim Tae-woo, of the state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses in Seoul. "I believe the U.S. will offer dialogue."
Ultimately, a successful satellite launch would provide North Korea with the upper hand in its future negotiations with the U.S. as it would mean the country could show it has a delivery vehicle for its nuclear weapons, according to Paik Hak-soon, a North Korea expert at the private think tank Sejong Institute near Seoul.
"Then, the North will have not only a nuclear card but a missile card," he said.
___
Associated Press writers Mari Yamaguchi and Shino Yuasa in Tokyo contributed to this report.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch planAP - Saturday, March 14
China's Premier Wen defends Tibet policiesAP - Saturday, March 14
Obama, Yudhoyono discuss economic crisisAFP - Saturday, March 14
Obama, Arroyo back controversial defense treatyAFP - Saturday, March 14
China 'worried' about US Treasury holdingsAP - Saturday, March 14
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
For sale: nagging wife, very high maintenance
VW reveals race to overtake GM, Toyota
World Bank warns of "very dangerous" year ahead
Space junk sparks crew scare on ISS
Chimp used planning skills to attack humans
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 14 March 2009 World court prosecutor to appeal Bashir genocide ruling
| International
|
Brazilian hijacks small plane, kills child in crash
| International
|
Fresh face lifts ex-guerrillas in Salvador election
| International
|
Ericsson signs U.S. deal worth over $2 billion: report
| Technology
|
Alfa's Fridman fighting different war on Vimpelcom
| Technology
|
Qimonda still seeks investors, cuts production
| Technology
|
Almodovar shows his dark side with Broken Embraces
| Entertainment
|
U.S. band Pixies to play single gig at UK festival
| Entertainment
|
UK rocker Pete Doherty lauded for solo debut
| Entertainment
|
UN chief: 2009 is critical year for Afghanistan
U.N. says security in Afghanistan may worsen in 2009
| International
|
Sudan says aid workers still being held
| International
|
Livni, Netanyahu said weighing alliance talks
Israel's Netanyahu and Livni make new contact
Hopes for Pakistani compromise fade, protests go on
| International
|
G20 ministers deny rift over fighting credit crisis
World court prosecutor to appeal Bashir genocide ruling
Tibet silent, shut-off on riot anniversary
| International
|
Obama program helping US economy: Summers
American badly hurt in clash with Israeli military
Austrian diplomat appointed as Bosnia peace envoy
| International
|
World Bank warns of "very dangerous" year ahead
Nine nations agree plan to combat arms flow to Gaza
| International
|
Iraqi leaders cite security problems
European states pledge to ease bank secrecy
European auto sales slump by 20%
Iran dismisses sanctions and launches gas project
Israel's Netanyahu and Livni make new contact
| International
|
U.S. in deal to refurbish aircraft for Taiwan
| International
|
Georgian protesters demand Saakashvili resign
| International
|
Obama, Yudhoyono discuss economic crisis
US drops 'enemy combatant' detention status
Qimonda still seeks investors, cuts production
Catholic church paid 436 mln dlrs for abuse cases
Alfa's Fridman fighting different war on Vimpelcom
Clinton to visit Mexico to support drug crackdown
Web founder fears 'snooping' on the Internet
EU to test US data sharing on Guantanamo inmates
German Qimonda closer to liquidation: administrator
Tech, music and film converge at SXSW Festival
NIreland salutes slain policeman
Dutch police arrest top suspect in German mafia killings
Gunman shot dead in Siberian hostage-taking
Ex-KGB agent wanted by Britain to run for mayor
Japan protests NKorea's rocket launch plan
China's Premier Wen defends Tibet policies
Obama, Yudhoyono discuss economic crisis
Obama, Arroyo back controversial defense treaty
China 'worried' about US Treasury holdings
Oil soaks Australian beaches after spill
Pakistan complains of 'alienation' from US drone strikes
White House: No safer investment than US
G20 discuss credit crunch fight, deny split
US assures China over bond investments
Filipinos in immigration row with Japan
Fire at Bangladesh's largest mall kills 4
US in deal to refurbish aircraft for Taiwan
PLDT takes 30 pct in Meralco
Thai economy facing delay in recovery: PM
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China 'worried' about US Treasury holdings
New Orleans musician rebounds, opens 'Gate'
Second Life finding new life
People mag retracts Brown and Rihanna duet story
First Superman comic book raises 317,200 dlrs
Wash state: 'Ax Men' crew salvaged logs illegally
Reinvigorated, lip-synching Spears wows N.Y. fans
Stewart, Cramer TV battle royal draws big audience
Ericsson signs U.S. deal worth over $2 billion: report
| Technology
|
Pattinson: New role's 'naked stuff' uncomfortable
'Firebrand of Florence': smashing concert version
Clooney's quiet ER return boosts show ratings
| Entertainment
|
Reinvigorated, lip-synching Spears wows N.Y. fans
| Entertainment
|
A-Z of Aussie musicians unite for bushfires benefit
| Entertainment
|
New Orleans musician rebounds, opens Gate
| Entertainment
|
Madagascar opposition deadline passes
| International
|
Israeli police fatally shoot Palestinian
Three men arrested over killing of British soldiers
| International
|
Iran says oil market oversupplied
Afghan police say victims of U.S. raid not militants
| International
|
OPEC hardliners hint at cuts on eve of meeting
Afghan father, four sons killed in US raid: police
Two Gaza rockets hit Israel: military
Iraq president to retire from office next year
| International
|
Madoff reveals $823 million life of luxury
Sri Lanka rejects U.N. allegations on civilian deaths
| International
|
Bin Laden accuses Arab leaders of plotting against Muslims
| International
|
Zimbabwe's Mugabe says unity government to bring stability
| International
|
Russia weighs Cuba, Venezuela bases: report
US Salvadorans make opinion count in election
Web founder warns against website snooping
| Technology
|
Cash-hungry U.S. states turn to Web to auction goods
| Technology
|
Nicaragua blasts US's decision to hold back aid
U.S. and Britain at odds over detainee
Web founder warns against website snooping
Cash-hungry U.S. states turn to Web to auction goods
Three arrests over N.Ireland soldiers' killings
Australian stars line up for bushfire victims
| Entertainment
|
Sri Lanka rejects UN charge of possible war crimes
5 killed in Afghan operation targeting bomb-maker
Pakistan protesters defy government ban
Stars turn out for Australia wildfires concerts
Nepal police detain 2 foreign pro-Tibet protesters
Indian forces kill 3 suspected rebels in Kashmir
China investigating freighter that hit fishermen
NKorea bars border crossing for 2nd straight day
G20 to agree IMF funding boost: European source
Hundreds of Taiwanese rally in support of Tibet
Pakistani c.bank sells 10 bln rupees of T-bills
Australian stars line up for bushfire victims
John Woo to make 'Titanic of the east': report
Young bloods vie to be Bollywood's new leading men
Tenor Philip Webb makes surprise Met debut
A-Z of Aussie musicians unite for bushfires benefit
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights