The Japanese destroyer Choukai: Japan is making plans to shoot down

a North Korean rocket if it veers off course and enters Japan’s air space,

which Pyongyang has said would be tantamount to an act of war.

Pyongyang Must Not Be Allowed to ‘Make Mockery’ of the World (Mainichi Shimbun, Japan)

“North Korea has already conducted two underground nuclear tests which were carried out not long after prior missile launches. And there are reportedly signs that now as then, North Korea is preparing to conduct a third nuclear test right after its rocket launch. If Pyongyang intends to repeat this pattern, it would make be making a mockery of the international community. That is why the global community must act resolutely to prevent this.”

EDITORIAL

Translated By Ryuichi Sato

April 9, 2012

Japan - Mainichi Shimbun, Japan - Original Article (Japanese)

The planned launch of what Pyongyang describes as an "earth observation satellite" is imminent. North Korea has warned the international community that it would test-fire the satellite at some point between April 12 and April 16 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the nation’s founder, Kim Il-sung on April 15.

During this period, North Korea’s Supreme People's Assembly and the Workers' Party of Korea (KPA) will convene, setting the stage for Kim Jong-un to inherit top posts of both party and government from his father, the late Kim Jong-il. The "satellite" launch will apparently be aimed at celebrating the third generation of dynastic succession.

Posted by Worldmeets.US

Denying that the launch is for military purposes, North Korea has invited foreign media to the launch site in order to watch the preparations. But regardless of how hard Pyongyang seeks to explain it, it is crystal clear that the launch is, in-effect, a long-range ballistic missile test.

For years, North Korea has put enormous effort into missile development and exporting them, mainly to countries in the Middle East. North Korea is now trying to develop intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of striking the United States.

SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Rodong Simnum, North Korea: ‘Unimaginable Punishment’ if Satellite Intercepted
Korea Central News, North Korea: Obama ‘Misperceives Peaceful’ Satellite Launch
China Daily, China: Obama Makes North Korean Rocket Launch More Likely
Mainichi Shimbun, Japan: Nuclear-Armed Japan is Not Out of the Question
The Hankyoreh, South Korea: Nuclear Summit Must Resist ‘Nuclear Power Mafia’
Yonhap, South Korea: Obama Warns North Launch will Bring Greater Isolation
News, Switzerland: Obama's Best Option for Koreas: Send Envoy to Pyongyang
News, Switzerland: Pyongyang Makes a Play for Direct Ties with Americans
Opera Mundi, Brazil: Can America Secure a North Korean Nuclear 'Reversal'?
Rodong Sinmun, North Korea: Imperialist Sanctions 'Should Be Smashed'
Moskovskiye Novosti, Russia: 'Russia's Place in a Changing World,' By Vladimir Putin

Rodong Sinmun, North Korea: 'U.S. Warmongers' Foolish to Hope to Change North

Jong-A Ilbo, S. Korea: Why the Kim Jong-un Regime is 'Doomed'

Jong-A Ilbo, S. Korea: U.S.,China Must Resist Urge to Meddle after Kim's Death

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Germany: Secret of America's Counterfeit 'Supernotes'

Korean Central, North Korea: The U.S. 'Should Be Cursed' By All Koreans

Korean Central, North Korea: 'Japanese Militarists' Prepare for Reinvasion of Korea

Moreover, North Korea has already conducted two underground nuclear tests which were carried out not long after prior missile launches. And there are reportedly signs that now as then, North Korea is preparing to conduct a third nuclear test right after its rocket launch. If Pyongyang intends to repeat this pattern, it would be making a mockery of the international community. That is why the global community must act resolutely to prevent this.