S. Korea to dispatch Aegis-guided destroyer to monitor N. Korean rocket

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, March 26 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to dispatch an Aegis-guided
destroyer to the East Sea, as North Korea appears to be finalizing preparations
for a rocket launch towards waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan despite
repeated international warnings, an official said Thursday.
"The Sejong the Great destroyer will conduct monitoring activities in the East
Sea," the official said, referring to the 7,600-ton destroyer that can detect and
track targets hundreds of kilometers away.
Another official, who also declined to be named, said South Korea learned on
Wednesday that North Korea had set up its rocket on the launch pad on the east
coast.
"It was obvious the moment our satellite keyed on it," the official said.
North Korea has said it will launch what it calls a communications satellite
between April 4-8. Neighbors believe it could be a cover for the communist state
to test-fire its longest-range missile, the Taepodong-2, which could
theoretically reach Alaska.
Japan has suggested it could attempt an interception if North Korea fires a
rocket over its territory. U.S. Adm. Timothy Keating, who commands the U.S.
forces in Asia and the Pacific, recently said his country has the capability to
shoot down a North Korea rocket should one approach the U.S.
Experts believe it will take at least three days for North Korea to complete the
injection of liquid fuel into its multi-stage rocket, a portion of which could be
loaded with solid fuel.
North Korea test-fired a Taepodong-2 missile in 2006, but it crashed soon after
take-off.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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