N. Korea Threatens War if 'Satellite' Is Shot Down

SEOUL, South Korea  North Korea put its armed forces on standby for war Monday and threatened retaliation against anyone seeking to stop the regime from launching a satellite into space in the latest barrage of threats from the communist regime. The warning came as U.S. and South Korean troops kicked off their annual war games across the South, exercises the North has condemned as preparation for an invasion. Pyongyang last week threatened danger to South Korean passenger planes flying near its airspace during the drills. Analysts say the regime is trying to grab President Barack Obama's attention as his administration formulates its North Korea policy. The North also indicated it was pushing ahead with plans to fire a communications satellite into space, a provocative launch neighboring governments believe could be a cover for a missile test. U.S. and Japanese officials have suggested they could shoot down a North Korean missile if necessary, further incensing Pyongyang.