The North Korean military last week moved two launchers
believed to be for Scud missiles to the northeast province of South Hamgyong,
Yonhap news agency said, citing a senior Seoul official.North Korea has moved
two more missile launchers to its east coast, where preparations are apparently
under way for a missile test as tensions simmer on the peninsula, a report
said.
Expectations had been high that Pyongyang would carry out a
test to coincide with celebrations marking the birth of North Korea's late
founding leader Kim Il-Sung on April 15 but it did not materialise.
"We have discovered the North has moved two additional
TELs (transporter erector launchers) to the east coast... after April 16,"
the official was quoted as saying, adding Seoul and Washington were closely
monitoring the site.Previously, the North was reported to have moved seven
missile launchers to its coast facing the East Sea (Sea of Japan) in apparent
preparations for a test that would further escalate tensions.
Angered by fresh UN sanctions triggered by its third nuclear
test in February and joint South Korea-US military exercises, the North has for
weeks been issuing threats of missile strikes and nuclear war.But despite the
passing of the Kim Il-Sung anniversary, a Seoul defence ministry spokesman said
Thursday that the possibility of a test involving shorter-range Scud, mid-range
Musudan, or long-range Rodong missiles remained.
April 25 could be another possible date for a missile
launch, the report said, quoting military officials in Seoul. That is the
founding anniversary of the North's military.The Musudan -- seen as most likely
to be tested -- has an estimated range of 2,500 to 4,000 kilometres (2,500
miles), enough to reach South Korea and Japan and potentially US military bases
on the Pacific island of Guam.
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