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N Korea 'preparing rocket launch' N Korea 'preparing rocket launch'
(about 3 hours later)
North Korea is reported to be pressing ahead with final preparations for its planned satellite launch, despite stern warnings from the US and its allies.North Korea is reported to be pressing ahead with final preparations for its planned satellite launch, despite stern warnings from the US and its allies.
A US defence official said there were indications the North was fuelling its rocket, while experts said weather conditions favoured a Saturday launch. A US defence official said there were indications the North was fuelling the rocket in a final step to the launch.
North Korea has said it will launch a satellite between 4-8 April, but critics suspect it is a missile test. US President Barack Obama said Pyongyang should halt the expected launch, calling the move "provocative".
The North has threatened immediate retaliation over any intervention. North Korea said it would launch a satellite between 4-8 April, but critics suspect it is a missile test.
Pyongyang has also warned that any attempts to impose UN sanctions would be seen as a hostile act. At a news conference on Friday, Mr Obama said the threatened launch had put "enormous strains" on international talks over Pyongyang's disputed nuclear activities.
He said that the North's "unhelpful" response only added to its international isolation. He said North Korea could not threaten the "safety and security of other countries with impunity".
Before Mr Obama made his comments, the North had threatened immediate retaliation over any intervention.
Pyongyang had also warned that any attempts to impose UN sanctions would be seen as a hostile act.
Favourable weatherFavourable weather
North Korea has told the International Civil Aviation Organisation that it will launch the rocket only between 0200GMT and 0700GMT during the five-day launch window. Last month North Korea said it had told the International Civil Aviation Organisation that it would launch the rocket only between 0200GMT and 0700GMT during the five-day launch window.
Observers say North Korea will very likely stick to this commitment, firing the rocket at the first sign of good weather conditions during the given times.Observers say North Korea will very likely stick to this commitment, firing the rocket at the first sign of good weather conditions during the given times.
North Korea's missile programme North Korea's missile programme
According to South Korean media, the forecast for Saturday is partially cloudy, but considered reasonably favourable at the moment.According to South Korean media, the forecast for Saturday is partially cloudy, but considered reasonably favourable at the moment.
Yonhap news agency also quotes an unnamed US defence official as saying that the North was fuelling the rocket in a final step toward the launch.
Seoul's defence ministry says it has stepped up surveillance ahead of the launch.Seoul's defence ministry says it has stepped up surveillance ahead of the launch.
The unification ministry, which deals with cross-border relations, urged groups and individuals to avoid visiting the North from Saturday. The unification ministry, which deals with cross-border relations, urged groups and individuals to avoid travelling to a joint industrial zone in the North from Saturday.
Hundreds of South Koreans usually travel daily to a joint industrial zone. On Thursday, the US president and his South Korean counterpart Lee Myung-bak said a "stern, united response" would follow any rocket launch by North Korea.
On Thursday, US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart said a "stern, united response" would follow any rocket launch by North Korea.
Mr Obama and President Lee Myung-bak discussed the issue on the sidelines of the G20 summit in London.
Veto power
South Korea and Japan also affirmed their intention to refer Pyongyang to the UN Security Council for sanctions if a launch was carried out - a move backed by the US.South Korea and Japan also affirmed their intention to refer Pyongyang to the UN Security Council for sanctions if a launch was carried out - a move backed by the US.
President Lee said they should also try to convince China and Russia, security council members with veto power, to "join in a strong response".President Lee said they should also try to convince China and Russia, security council members with veto power, to "join in a strong response".
Japan has said it will shoot down the rocket if it misfires and endangers Japanese territory.Japan has said it will shoot down the rocket if it misfires and endangers Japanese territory.
The North has warned it would consider any interception "the start of Japan's war of re-invasion". Japan ruled the Korean peninsula as a colony between 1910 and 1945.
North Korea's military has threatened immediate retaliation if "even the slightest effort" is made to intercept its rocket.North Korea's military has threatened immediate retaliation if "even the slightest effort" is made to intercept its rocket.