Emergency measures have been put in place to deal with the expected launch of a North Korean rocket some time this month, according to the ROC Ministry of National Defense Dec. 10.
Although expected to fly well clear of Taiwan, there is a risk from falling debris if the Eunha-3, or Galaxy-3, missile fails as predicted by many international experts, an MND official said.
The International Maritime Organization confirms the flight path should be roughly the same as that of the last North Korean launch in April, which saw the rocket break up 90 seconds after blastoff, sending debris into the ocean 165 kilometers west of Seoul.
The MND said a task force had been set up to handle the matter. Missile monitoring is at a peak readiness, with Patriot and Sky Bow air defense systems activated to protect northern Taiwan.
“Our mission is to safeguard Taiwan and the surrounding area and airspace during the launch window,” the official said. “Ships and planes will also patrol the East China Sea under the rocket’s projected flight path.”
The U.S., Japan and South Korea remain on high alert for the launch and have prepared appropriate measures in response, the official said. (JSM)