Tensions over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs started after Pyongyang said last month that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test that triggers condemnation around the world.
Now, Japanese Defense Ministry said that they are on a high alert and ready to destroy a North Korean missile if it posed a threat to the country’s safety.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed Tuesday that it had received an intelligence from North Korea that it plans to launch a satellite between Feb. 8 to 25. South Korea said Pyongyang was planning to launch a long-range missile.
“In order to prevent life and property damage of the Japanese population, the necessary measures against the missiles will be deployed if it would be confirmed that it falls on the territory of our country,” according to Japanese Defense Ministry statement.
It plans to destroy the missile with the Standard Missile-3 missile interceptors that are installed on the ships equipped with Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, or with Patriot surface-to-air missile systems, the Ministry added.
