WORLD> Photo
US deploys anti-missile ships before DPRK launch
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-30 15:51

Japanese Self-Defence Force's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile unit is deployed at the Defence Ministry in Tokyo March 29, 2009. [Agencies]

The DPRK has announced that it would launch a communications satellite between April 4-8. But the United States, Japan and South Korea suspected that it might be a long-range ballistic Taepodong-2 missile.

Gates said that although the launch was "intended as a mask for the development of an intercontinental ballistic missile," this type of missile could not reach Alaska.

US Forces Korea plans to dispatch two Aegis-equipped destroyers currently at the South Korean port of Busan, a spokesman said without offering further details.

Local media quoted informed sources as saying the vessels with sophisticated radar will monitor the launch.

Japan deployed two missile-intercepting vessels to waters off its west coast at the weekend.

The rocket is supposed to drop booster stages to the east and west of Japan. Government officials said Tokyo is poised to shoot down debris that poses a threat to its public.