South Korea discusses response to North Korea’s missile launch

South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo presided over an emergency meeting on Friday in Seoul with military officials over North Korea's planned missile launch. Han said his army is capable of detecting the missile launch and delivering a response. S Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo     "Our Aegis destroyer has proved its capacity and readiness by firstly detecting North Korea's missile launches three times in the past." 

The North notified U.N. agencies late on Tuesday of its plan to launch what it called an "earth observation satellite" some time between February 8 and 25, but Han said his country was prepared even if the launch occurred outside the notice window.  S Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo    “If the North Korean missile or its debris fall on our territory, we will respond with decisive actions so the North can pay the price for what they have done." 

Pyongyang said it has a sovereign right to pursue a space programme by launching rockets, although the United States and other governments worry that such launches are missile tests in disguise.