North Korea 'missile test'

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Reports that North Korea launched two short-range missiles off its western coast on Thursday has worried its southern neighbour.

Some on the streets of Seoul were speculating about the reason.

SOUNDBITE: 41-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT SEO CHANG-SOO SAYING (Korean):

"I think they fired them to show off their power but it's a dangerous activity which might lead to war. I think they're doing it because the regime is not stable."

The reports have come about two weeks ahead of North Korea's planned launch of a long-range rocket.

Pyongyang says it's to put a weather satellite into orbit.

The United States and other countries suspect it's a disguised ballistic missile test.

Japan on Friday officially ordered its Self Defence Forces to shoot the rocket down if it poses a direct threat to its territory.

Japan's defence minister says it's better to be prepared.

SOUNDBITE: JAPANESE DEFENCE MINISTER NAOKI TANAKA SAYING (Japanese):

"We can't look back and regret not having taken action because something unexpected happened, so that's why we're looking at taking any and all measures necessary."

Japan's deploying destroyers with missile interceptors in the Sea of Japan and East China Sea.

It's also putting ground-based interceptors on some of it its southern islands and in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Paul Chapman, Reuters