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| Kongō-class destroyer (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki Commons) |
By Zachary Keck
Japan’s decision to shoot down North Korean missiles comes as Pyongyang readies its fourth nuclear test.
Japan’s defense minister has ordered the Japanese Self Defense Forces (JSDF) to shoot down any North Korean ballistic missiles that are tested in the coming weeks, Reuters reported on Saturday.
According to the Reuters report, which cited an unidentified government source, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera issued the order on Thursday, which directed the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Forces (JMSDF) to shoot down any missiles that North Korea launches between April 3 and April 25. An Aegis destroyer has been deployed to the Sea of Japan to carry out the order, the report said.
Defense Minister Onodera’s order comes as tensions steadily escalate on the Korean Peninsula. As The Diplomat previously reported, North Korea tested two Rodong-class (Nodong) mid-range ballistic missiles last week in what was its longest range missile tests since December 2012, and the first time a Rodong-class missile had been tested since 2009. The missiles traveled 650 kilometers (km) before falling into the Sea of Japan. Their maximum range is roughly twice that distance.
South Korea responded by testing its own new, longer range ballistic missile, Seoul announced on Thursday. The two Koreas also exchanged artillery fire across their maritime border earlier this week, although no damage was caused by either side.
Read the full story at The Diplomat