North Korea puts military on alert

North Korea said it has put its military on full combat alert in advance of a big military exercise by the United States and South Korean forces.



An official news agency called the manoeuvres a dangerous provocation.



North Korea has warned that any attempt to shoot down a satellite it plans to launch will result in war.



The South and the US believe Pyongyang could be preparing to test-fire a long-range missile under the guise of a satellite launch.



On Friday, the North said that the risk of conflict meant it could no longer guarantee the safety of commercial flights through airspace it controls off the east coast.



A number of airlines have already re-routed their flights as a precaution.