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DPRK to close two air routes for rocket launch

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-21 20:32

TOKYO  -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will close two aerial routes through its controlled airspace from April 4 to 8 for its planned communications satellite launch, Japan's transport ministry said Saturday, according to Kyodo News.

The DPRK issued the notification on Saturday, saying the closure will be from 11 a.m. on April 4 to 4 p.m. on April 8, Kyodo quoted the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism as saying.

Related readings:  ROK envoy urges DPRK to refrain from launch  Russia warns against dramatizing DPRK's satellite launch  DPRK premier concludes China tour

Pyongyang announced that it would launch a communications satellite between April 4-8. However, some countries suspected it would be a long-range missile capable of reaching North America.

Japan has declared it would shoot down any objects flying towards its territory.