Says It Will 'Mercilessly Shoot Them Down'

The clock is counting down to the start of the stated launch window for a multi-stage rocket by North Korea.

Fox News cites North Korean sources in reporting the launch of the Taepodong-2 missile -- which is now sporting a bulb-shaped payload cover -- will happen between Saturday and Tuesday. The shape of the payload cover looks more like the satellite North Korea claims it is, than the dummy warhead feared by western intelligence.

Still, critics say any launch will violate a UN Security Council resolution and bring sanctions. The rhetoric from the regime of Kim Jung Il has reached hyperbole.

Regarding flights by US RC-135 surveillance planes near the site, state-run radio from the north says, "If the brigandish US imperialists dare to infiltrate spy planes into our airspace to interfere with our peaceful satellite launch preparations, our revolutionary armed forces will mercilessly shoot them down."

Despite the clear threat, it's not clear -- in fact, rather doubtful -- North Korea has that capability. Fox points out the RC-135 can operate as high as 50,000 feet.

Japan is making preparations to shoot down any parts of the missle which threaten to fall on its territory. North Korea's broadcast response says the nation, "will consider this as the start of Japan's war of re-invasion ... and mercilessly destroy all its interceptor means and citadels with the most powerful military means."

Adding to the international tension, North Korea announced Tuesday it will indict and try two American journalists accused of crossing the border illegally from China on March 17 to conduct "hostile acts."

FMI: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html