'South Korea will intercept NK missiles'

By Kang Seung-woo

A Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile defense system is deployed at the U.S. Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, amid high expectations that North Korea is on verge of launching mid-range Musudan missiles. / Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki

South Korea will shoot down any North Korean missiles that threaten its people and property, the Ministry of national Defense said Thursday.

“Our military is fully prepared to intercept the North’s missiles,” ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said in a briefing. “Our Patriot missiles can intercept them.”

Currently, the military operates a Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC) 2 missile defense system, which has the capability to shoot down incoming missiles and aircraft at ranges of up to 30 kilometers.

Kim’s remarks come as there are many indications the totalitarian state is on the verge of launching mid-range Musudan missiles from its east coast.

Most expect the North Korean missile tests to arc eastward around Japan, but they could also fly south toward the Philippines.

Although Pyongyang is believed to have completed preparations for a missile launch, the ministry has no clear indication when it will be conducted.

“North Korea is highly expected to launch missiles between April 10 and 15, but nobody knows how many missiles, what kind they will be and when,” Kim said.

Japan’s Kyodo News reported earlier in the day that North Korea had moved a missile launcher into a firing position, citing a Japanese Defense Ministry official with access to satellite imagery.

The South did not confirm that information, saying it needs further analysis to assess if it means a launch is imminent.

Amid growing expectations of a missile launch, cautious measures are underway in the region.

Japan has deployed two PAC-3 Patriot anti-missile batteries in the Tokyo area, while dispatching Aegis-equipped destroyers carrying sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptors to the East Sea to shoot down any missiles headed towards its territory.

A U.S. military sea-based radar station is now off the Korean east coast to detect any missile launches.

North Korea has yet to issue the standard warning to commercial aviation and maritime shipping for fear of their missiles being shot down, according to a government official.

“If North Korea sets a no-fly, no-sail zone, the missile propellant and warhead will fall within that area, which would give the trajectory of any planned launches,” he said.

“The North may be worried that Japan could shoot down its missiles.”