North Korea announced Saturday it will close two aviation routes
through its air space from April 4 through April 8 during a
planned rocket launch.
The North says it will launch a
communication satellite. The United States, Japan and South Korea say
Pyongyang intends to test a long-range ballistic missile.
They
say the launch would violate a U.N. Security Council resolution imposed
in 2006 after North Korea tested long range missiles and a nuclear
weapon.
Japan and South Korea have warned North Korea it will face a strong international response if it goes ahead with the launch.
Japan has said it will attempt to shoot down missiles headed toward its territory.
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U.S. military commanders told members of Congress this week the
American military is probably capable of shooting down a long-range
North Korean missile if it threatens U.S. territory.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
