North Korea has deployed one or
two intermediate-range ballistic missiles on the east coast, possibly preparing
for launch on or around Friday, the anniversary of the birth of the country's
founder, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.
A mobile launcher was spotted carrying up to two Musudan missiles, Yonhap said on Thursday, citing multiple South Korean government sources, following the North's fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the next month, which led to fresh U.N. sanctions.
A mobile launcher was spotted carrying up to two Musudan missiles, Yonhap said on Thursday, citing multiple South Korean government sources, following the North's fourth nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch the next month, which led to fresh U.N. sanctions.
The Musudan missile, with a
design range of more than 3,000 km (1,800 miles), is not known to have been
flight-tested, according to South Korean defence ministry and experts. Some
experts said the North may choose to test-fire the Musudan in the near future
as it tries to build an intercontinental ballistic missile designed to put the
mainland United States within range.
U.S. intelligence believes North Korea's ability to reach the United States is low, but its capabilities will increase, making continued investment in missile defence essential.
South Korea's Defence Ministry spokesman, Moon Sang-gyun, declined to confirm the Yonhap report but said the military had been on high alert for any missile launch by the North since its leader Kim Jong Un's vow to conduct more tests.
U.S. intelligence believes North Korea's ability to reach the United States is low, but its capabilities will increase, making continued investment in missile defence essential.
South Korea's Defence Ministry spokesman, Moon Sang-gyun, declined to confirm the Yonhap report but said the military had been on high alert for any missile launch by the North since its leader Kim Jong Un's vow to conduct more tests.