US, allies to track N Korean rocket; China cautions Pyongyang

05 Feb 2016

1

The United States and its allies Japan and South Korea, are working together to track a long-range missile that North Korea planned to launch sometime soon, even as ally China told North Korea not to do anything that could further raise tension in the region.

The US has deployed missile defence systems that will work with the Japanese and South Korean militaries to track a rocket that North Korea planned to launch sometime over an 18-day period beginning on Monday.

The North Korean move to test-fire a missile (or rocket as it claims) follows last month's testing of what Pyongang claimed a hydrogen bomb, which has already raised tensions in East Asia.

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi said Beijing had sent its special envoy to Wu Dawei to North Korea over the nuclear issue, in what he described as "a serious situation". He said China needed contacts "with all parties", mentioning the United States, South Korea and Russia.

"At the same time, we also need to have necessary contacts with the North Korea side, to listen to their opinions," Wang told Hong Kong's Phoenix Television in London after Wu had returned from North Korea.

"Of course, an important point is to express China's clear position to North Korea. We don't want to see anything happen that could cause further tensions," he said.

North Korea insists that it is purely a space programme and that it has a sovereign right to pursue a space programme, although the US and other governments suspect such rocket launches are actually missile tests and have called on Pyongyang to abandon the plans.

North Korea, meanwhile, notified UN agencies that it will launch a rocket carrying what it called an earth observation satellite sometime between 8 and 25 February, triggering international opposition.

China is North's sole major ally but it disapproves of its nuclear programme. The United States has urged China to use its influence to rein in its neighbour.

Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun quoted Pentagon officials as saying that fuelling of the rocket appeared to have begun with increased activity around the missile launch and fuel storage areas.

A launch would draw fresh US calls for tougher UN sanctions that are already under discussion in response to the nuclear test.

Business History Videos

History of hovercraft Part 3...

Today I shall talk a bit more about the military plans for ...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of hovercraft Part 2...

In this episode of our history of hovercraft, we shall exam...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Hovercraft Part 1...

If you’ve been a James Bond movie fan, you may recall seein...

By Kiron Kasbekar | Presenter: Kiron Kasbekar

History of Trams in India | ...

The video I am presenting to you is based on a script writt...

By Aniket Gupta | Presenter: Sheetal Gaikwad

view more