The Russian military has information about a planned ballistic missile launch by North Korea, a senior military source was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency yesterday.
“We have certain information on the type and characteristics of the rocket. However, there is no precise information on the timing of its launch,” the source in Russia’s General Staff told Interfax.
He added that Russia would be monitoring the launch. It was unclear whether he was referring to a short or long-range missile. Separately, the ITAR-TASS news agency quoted a source in the Russian foreign ministry as saying: “Judging by everything, a launch will take place. There are signs that preparations for this are underway.”
North Korea has launched a series of short-range missiles since carrying out a nuclear test on May 25. US and South Korean officials have said there are signs that it may also be preparing to test-fire a long-range missile.
Russia has a short border with North Korea and is part of the six-party negotiations aimed at convincing the country’s Communist regime to give up its nuclear program.
Meanwhile, South Korea has informed the US of up to 20 North Korean bank accounts suspected of being involved in counterfeiting, money laundering and other illegal transactions, a news report said yesterday.
The move came as Washington considered punishing the North with its own financial sanctions apart from proposed UN sanctions.
Separately, seven key nations neared agreement on a new UN resolution that would toughen sanctions against North Korea for defying the UN Security Council and conducting a second nuclear test on May 25.
South Korea gave the US the information on between 10 to 20 North Korean bank accounts in China and Switzerland at Washington’s request, South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unidentified government official.
A South Korean Foreign Ministry official said he was seeking to confirm the report.
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