Count Down has started for North Korea "Satellite" Launch... Let's test some missiles of our own: Can you say "Pull?"

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/02/north.korea.missiles/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

FD: Maybe Obama's first missile test...

Story Highlights
"We don't want to see this launch go forward," State Department says
U.S. not giving specifics on what consequences will be
North Korea has said the rocket will carry a satellite into orbit
U.S., others think purpose is to get info for improving ballistic missile program

North Korea said the the rocket will carry a satellite into orbit.

The United States and other countries fear the main purpose of the launch, regardless of the payload, is to allow North Korea to gain valuable information about improving its ballistic missile program.

Japan recently mobilized its missile defense system in response to the planned launch. Japanese officials said the move is aimed at shooting down any debris from the launch that might fall into Japanese territory.

North Korea, in response, said it will attack the Japanese military and "major targets" if Japan shoots down the rocket, North Korea's state-run news service, KCNA, reported Thursday.
Wednesday night, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates called his counterparts in Japan and South Korea to discuss the expected missile launch, Gates' spokesman said.

In separate calls to Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and South Korean Defense Minister Sang Hee Lee, Gates expressed the importance of close coordination with each country in regard to the possible launch, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Thursday.

"All three of them agreed to approach the issue in a calm manner as it develops," Whitman said.
He would not discuss other details of the calls and would not say if Gates offered to assist Japan in shooting down debris from the missile if it was to endanger Japan.