N. Korea to close 2 aerial routes for `satellite` launch

TOKYO, March 21 Kyodo -
North Korea will close two aerial routes through its controlled airspace from
April 4 to 8 in order to launch what Pyongyang claims is a communications
satellite, Japan's transport ministry said Saturday.
The closure will be from 11 a.m. on April 4 to 4 p.m. on April 8, the
notification issued by North Korea on Saturday noted, according to the Ministry
of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
Flights of Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways as well as those of foreign
airlines to and from Japan do not pass through the routes, according to the
ministry.
North Korea has said it is ready to put a satellite into space between April 4
and 8.
But some countries suspect this to be a cover for the test-firing of a
long-range ballistic missile, saying the technology involved is similar, with
Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso suggesting Japan is considering imposing
additional sanctions against Pyongyang unilaterally if it launches the rocket.
On Friday, Japanese and Chinese defense ministers agreed in Beijing it would be
best if North Korea refrains from the planned rocket launch.
==Kyodo