Situation 'dangerous' ahead of North Korea rocket launch: US

TOKYO (AP) - The commander of American troops in Japan said on Thursday that the situation ahead of North Korea's planned launch of a long-range rocket this month is "very dangerous".

Lieutenant-General Salvatore Angelella said US troops in Japan are closely monitoring activity in North Korea as it prepares for the launch. He said the United States sees the launch as a violation of UN restrictions in place to keep North Korea from developing its long-range missile capabilities.

"This is a very dangerous situation, and we do not support those actions by North Korea. ... We are monitoring the situation closely," Lt-Gen Angelella, who commands the roughly 50,000 US troops in Japan, said at a news conference in Tokyo.

He said American troops are working closely with the Japanese to protect the country's citizens and territory, but declined to give details. Two US officials said Wednesday that the Navy had begun moving several ships into the western Pacific.