Though North Korean officials say they plan to launch a satellite, Kwangmyongsong-2, into space shortly, media speculation and international fears have escalated to the point where the US and Japan have threatened to take action, should the launch look like anything other than a satellite. Today, North Korean military officials said that any action taken to shoot down the satellite from the sky will doubtlessly result in war.

The North Korean military is currently on full combat alert, reportedly in advance of a large military exercise by US and South Korean forces. The operation being prepared by the South and the United States is an annual endeavor but could potentially be motivated by fears that rather than a satellite, Pyongyang plans to test-fire a long-range Taphodon-2 missile, with a predicted range of 6,700km. Such a missile would be capable of hitting US military bases in Japan, Guam, and Alaska, should the country choose.

The likelihood of conflict stemming from the launch led to Pyongyang issuing a warning to commercial airlines, unsure of the safety of airspace around the country: flights have already been re-routed. The Korean People’s Army (KPA), the military force of North Korea, has expressed readiness to combat any advance made by either the US or South Korea.

“We will retaliate any act of intercepting our satellite for peaceful purposes with prompt counter strikes by the most powerful military means…Shooting our satellite for peaceful purposes will precisely mean a war.”
- Statement issued by the KPA

The mobilization of the entire army to full combat alert is being referred to by Pyongyang as preparation to defend the nation should the need arise. US and South Korean officials maintain that the 12-day, 50,000 combined troop exercise is simply a practice run of defending the peninsula which always raises concerns in North Korea, John Sudworth with the BBC reported.

North Korea protested the military exercise earlier this month, citing that it was dangerously provocative, but still plans to go ahead with its satellite launch. Both sides are preparing for any eventuality to stem from the proceedings.

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