The US military is "fully prepared" to shoot down any North Korean ballistic missile, the head of the US Pacific Command says.
"We will be fully prepared to respond as the president [Obama] directs," Adm. Timothy Keating said in an interview with ABC News on Thursday.
His remark came after the North announced on Tuesday that it would launch satellite Kwangmyongsong-2 into orbit as part of its space program despite claims that the country intends to test its 'long-range missiles'.
"If a missile leaves the launch pad we'll be prepared to respond upon direction of the president," said Keating.
"There's equipment moving up there that would indicate the preliminary stages of preparation for a launch. So I'd say it's more than less likely," he added.
The US and South Korea believe the launch may be a cover for a missile test-fire, saying the action would trigger international sanctions.
On Thursday, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of (North) Korea accused South Korea of "trumpeting about 'sanctions'" against its satellite launch, saying outsiders will know "what will soar in the air in the days ahead."
Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the US Pacific Commands
US Intelligence sources suggest that the North has been assembling its 'longest-range missile', the Taepodong-2. In 2006, Pyongyang last launched the Taepodong-2 that fizzled just seconds into flight and destructed.
Keating said that the military is ready to respond with at least five different systems: destroyer, Aegis cruiser, radar, space-based system and ground-based interceptor. All of these work in conjunction with one another to protect against any missile threat.
"Everything that we need to be ready is ready. So that's ready twice in one sentence, but we're not kidding, it doesn't take much for us to be fully postured to respond." View
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