U.S. will Track North Korea’s Satellite with the Help of South Korea, Japan

The United States announced that it will be deploying missile defense systems aimed to track North Korea's satellite. The U.S. will monitor the activity of that rocket with the help of its allies, South Korea and Japan.

"We will, as we always do, watch carefully if there's a launch, track the launch, (and) have our missile defense assets positioned and ready," U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Thursday reported by Reuters. "We plan a lot about it. We and our close allies - the Japanese and the South Koreans - are ready for it."

Japan has reportedly launched PAC-3 missile batteries that will shoot down any debris from the North Korean rocket launch. South Korea has reportedly deployed two Aegis-equipped destroyers.

North Korea's only major ally, China, has asked all parties to remain calm.

North Korea informed the International Maritime Organization and the International Telecommunication Union at the beginning of February that it has plans to launch an observational satellite for scientific research. The rocket, called "Kwangmyongsong," will reportedly be launched anytime from Feb. 8 to Feb. 25 between 7 a.m. and noon local time.

Since the announcement, governments have been suspicious that the launch will actually be a test for a long-range ballistic missile that could potentially be used against the United States. North Korea is not allowed to use ballistic missile technology under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Japan and South Korea are also concerned that the rocket could be fitted with nuclear warheads that can strike them at any time. There is no evidence, so far, that North Korea is testing ballistic missiles.

"What is needed now is a sober, serious, and reasonable public assessment of the threat from North Korea," said Ted Postol, a professor of science, technology and national security policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reported by FOX News.

FOX News detailed the differences:

"The distinction between a rocket used to lift a satellite into space and a long-range ballistic missile is highly technical but of crucial importance to understanding North Korea's motives and capabilities and in forming a realistic and effective strategy to deal with them. It is also crucial to understand the limitations of what space rocket launches contribute to the North's ability to develop military-use missiles."

The recent actions carried out by North Korea, who conducted an unsanctioned nuclear test on Jan. 6, have forced countries to pressure China to use its influence to contain the issue before it gets worse.

The Chinese Foreign Minster Wang Yi said that North Korea does not want to increase tensions.

"The peninsula cannot be nuclearized, and cannot have war or chaos," Chinese President Xi Jinping said reported by Reuters.

Xi stressed the importance of handling the situation calmly.