North Korea is preparing for a
second attempt at test-firing a new medium-range missile, after an initial
launch 10 days ago ended in catastrophic failure, South Korean media reported
on Tuesday.
If they go ahead with the launch,
it would be another slap in the face for the international community, after a
submarine-launched ballistic missile test last weekend was condemned by the UN
Security Council. Existing UN resolutions forbid North Korea from the use of
any ballistic missile-related technology.
According to unidentified
government sources cited by Yonhap news agency, the South Korean military is
"picking up signs which indicate North Korea will likely launch a Musudan
missile in the near future".
The Musudan is believed to have
an estimated range of anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres (1,550 to
2,500 miles). The lower range covers the whole of South Korea and Japan, while
the upper range would include US military bases on Guam.