U.S., Japan to sign missile defense accord

TOKYO -- The United States and Japan plan to sign a formal agreement to jointly research and develop a ballistic missile defense system.

Officials said the accord includes cooperation between the two countries to develop a missile interceptor, infrared sensors and the rocket's engine over the next six years.

The International Herald Tribune said the project could lead to the formation of a joint U.S.-Japan command to oversee a jointly developed missile defense system.

Japan has also said it will develop and launch reconnaissance satellites to monitor North Korea. Last year, Pyongyang launched its Taepo Dong intercontinental missile and has threatened to fire another missile within the next few weeks.

A senior U.S. official said over the weekend that North Korea delivered rocket fuel to the missile launch site where U.S. officials believe it is preparing to fire the Taepo Dong II. The official said no missile has been detected at the site.

But the official said U.S. intelligence has also detected activity by North Korean radars at the launch facility last week, including those radars expected to be used in tracking a ballistic missile in flight.

A Korean newspaper on Saturday said North Korea has agreed to buy 40 Russian MiG-21 fighter jets from an unidentified republic of the former Soviet Union. the Chosun Ilbo quoted a government source as saying North Korea has since July been delivering parts of the planes to an army base factory where the jets are being assembled.

Chosun Ilbo said North Korea's purchase seemed aimed at replacing some of its 320 old MiG-15 and MiG-17 fighters, or were to be used for training purposes.