The picture is from NHK TV, showing a news conference at the site of the scheduled rocket launch from North Korea. Japan prime minister Noda has given permission for the Defence Ministry to shoot down the rocket with Patriot interceptor missiles if it strays over Japan airspace. (The missiles are parked in the grounds of the Defence Ministry in the heart of Tokyo : two giant green batteries surrounded by a stunning white blaze of blooming cherry trees). And on state TV in North Korea it was announced ‘Whoever intercepts the satellite or collects its debris will face resolute and merciless punishment by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’. I am keeping track of the events since I am scheduled to stop over in Seoul on the way to Seattle this weekend !
