This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7964364.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| N Korea 'places missile on pad' | N Korea 'places missile on pad' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| North Korea has placed what is thought to be a long-range missile on a launch pad, Japanese and US officials say. | North Korea has placed what is thought to be a long-range missile on a launch pad, Japanese and US officials say. |
| North Korea had already said it would send a satellite into orbit in early April, using a long-range missile. | North Korea had already said it would send a satellite into orbit in early April, using a long-range missile. |
| The US, Japan and South Korea are concerned Pyongyang will test its Taepodong-2 long-range missile instead of launching a satellite. | The US, Japan and South Korea are concerned Pyongyang will test its Taepodong-2 long-range missile instead of launching a satellite. |
| Japanese PM Taro Aso said plans were being made to shoot down any rocket that threatens to hit the country. | Japanese PM Taro Aso said plans were being made to shoot down any rocket that threatens to hit the country. |
| North Korea has said it plans to carry out the controversial launch between 4 and 8 April. | North Korea has said it plans to carry out the controversial launch between 4 and 8 April. |
| The Taepodong 2 missile is capable of reaching Alaska from the Musudan-ri base in Hwadae on North Korea's north-east coast. | The Taepodong 2 missile is capable of reaching Alaska from the Musudan-ri base in Hwadae on North Korea's north-east coast. |
| It first tested the missile in July 2006, but it failed less than a minute after launch. | It first tested the missile in July 2006, but it failed less than a minute after launch. |
| Pyongyang warning | |
| Japan has suggested it could deploy a vessel equipped with missile interceptor technology to the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to shoot the rocket down. | Japan has suggested it could deploy a vessel equipped with missile interceptor technology to the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to shoot the rocket down. |
| On Wednesday, Prime Minister Aso said Japan's security council will meet this week to make preparations to shoot the missile down if it threatens to land on Japan. | On Wednesday, Prime Minister Aso said Japan's security council will meet this week to make preparations to shoot the missile down if it threatens to land on Japan. |
| Also on Wednesday, South Korea's chief negotiator to six-nation talks on ending North Korea's nuclear programme , Wi Sung-lac, said a launch would trigger "countermeasures", without saying what those might be. | |
| A satellite launch and a long-rang missile test would both use the Taepodong 2, analysts say. | |
| Pyongyang has already said the rocket taking its satellite into orbit will cross over Japan, dropping booster stages to its east and west. | |
| North Korea has warned the US, South Korea and Japan not to interfere with its launch. | |
| On Tuesday, Pyongyang said any UN sanctions imposed for the launch would mean the end of the six-nation talks. |