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Korea
Japan launches spy satellites
2003-03-28
A rocket carrying Japan's first two spy satellites has successfully blasted off. It marks the beginning of an intelligence-gathering programme prompted partly by North Korea's launching of a long-range ballistic missile over Japan in 1998. The rocket took off at 1027 on Friday from the remote island of Tanegashima, 1,200 kilometres (700 miles) south-west of Tokyo. North Korea has described the two Japanese satellites as a "grave threat".
Rather subdued for KCNA, eh?
The two satellites, the first of at least four in the 250-billion-yen ($2.05bn) spy programme, were propelled into clear but windy skies atop a Japanese-made H2-A rocket. Concern about a terrorist attack or possible demonstrations led to heightened security at the space centre. Riot police set up roadblocks nearby, while helicopters patrolled the skies. There had been fears that bad weather could delay the take-off, but the launch took place as scheduled. Until now, the US has gathered intelligence on Japan's behalf.
Our satellites are probably a bit busy now...
These satellites are intended to give Tokyo independent surveillance capabilities. Japan is thought to be especially concerned about North Korea's Taepodong missiles, which are able to reach virtually all of the country. It also wants to monitor Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programme. The satellites, which are expected to be in use for about five years, are to orbit the Earth at a height of 400 km to 600 km (250 to 370 miles). North Korea has warned that it may launch "satellites" of its own.
Just stuff the Dear Leader into it prior to launch, and we guarantee we won't shoot it down.
Japanese officials say North Korea may be preparing to launch another missile. A Japanese military analyst, Hajime Ozu, told the Associated Press he expected North Korea may make such a move to anger Japan and the United States, which Pyongyang sees as a threat. "For North Korea, a missile launch means a way to boost patriotism at home and a warning to the United States... It is one of the few remaining key diplomatic tactics North Korea has," he said.
Other than back down on the nuclear reactor and plutonium.
Posted by:Steve White

#3  A while back didn't the Japanese basically tell the NKs that they had better back off or they would take care of them
Posted by: Someone who did NOT vote for William Proxmire   2003-03-28 18:07:26  

#2  Hmmm, Satelite launch capability, the missing weapons grade(?) plutonium, the idea that the Japanese wouldn't care as much as the US if Seoul got fragged, and the aforementioned PAC-3's adds up to a possible pre-emptive strike by the Japanese, "Oh no, it wasn't us, they must have had an unfortunate accident."
Posted by: Toad   2003-03-28 10:51:21  

#1  Is the PAC-3 good enough to shoot down a Taepo-Dong II?
We may find out shortly.
Posted by: Dishman   2003-03-28 04:34:08  

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