Seoul warns it might shoot down North Korean rocket

Seoul is warning that it might shoot down a North Korean rocket if it strays into South Korean territory.

The comments on Monday by Defence Ministry vice-spokesman Yoon Won-shik come as nearly 60 world leaders gather in Seoul for a nuclear security conference that’s being overshadowed by North Korea’s announcement that it will launch a satellite on a long-range rocket next month.

Washington said the launch is meant to test delivery systems for long-range missiles that could be mounted with nuclear weapons.

North Korea said the rocket’s southerly flight path is meant to avoid other countries.

But Mr. Yoon told reporters that Seoul is considering measures to track and shoot down parts of the rocket if they violate South Korean territory.