Japan and South Korea have put their armed forces on standby

North Korea threatens 'merciless punishment' as it readies rocket launch

North Korea has threatened retaliation and "merciless punishment" against any country that shoots down the long-range rocket it is preparing to launch this coming week.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/9192301/North-Korea-threatens-merciless-punishment-as-it-readies-rocket-launch.html