N. Korea deploys fighter jets to guard rocket launch: officials

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By Sam Kim
SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has deployed a fleet of MiG-23 fighter
jets to apparently guard against any foreign attempt to intercept its rocket
which Pyongyang says will carry a satellite into orbit in days, South Korean
officials said Thursday.

The officials declined to give the size of the deployment, which comes as
Pyongyang warned it will "mercilessly deal deadly blows" at anyone trying to
interfere with the launch expected between April 4-8.
South Korea, the U.S. and Japan believe the rocket may be a disguised form of an
improved long-range ballistic missile that has yet to be tested and warn of U.N.
sanctions should the launch occur.
They have also deployed destroyers -- most with guided missiles -- in the East
Sea even though they stress they have no plan to intercept the rocket unless
their populations are clearly threatened.
"We are closely monitoring the movement of the jets," a South Korean Air Force
commander, who declined to be named, said by phone.
He did not disclose how many or when the MiG-23s were deployed around the
Musudan-ri launch pad for fear it would expose South Korea's intelligence
capabilities.
Another Air force official, speaking on customary condition of anonymity, said a
typical North Korean fighter squadron consists of 12 to 15 aircraft, adding the
deployment appears to be a tactical move aimed at safeguarding the launch base.
"It seems to be a form of protection against contingencies," he said.
MiG-23s, developed by the now-defunct Soviet Union, form the backbone of North
Korea's air force along with MiG-29s. They can be equipped with anti-air missiles
with a range of 20 kilometers.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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