N Korea may be readying for additional missile test

North Korea may soon test-fire another missile, a news report said yesterday, a day after the communist nation launched at least one short-range missile into coastal waters.

Friday's tests, which came amid tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear program, were downplayed by Seoul and Washington as part of regular military drills.

South Korean media said yesterday it was now believed North Korea launched only one short-range missile off its east coast into the sea between Korea and Japan. That contrasted with initial reports of several missiles being launched.

North Korea appeared to be readying for another missile test off its west coast yesterday because the country issued a no-sail warning banning ships from the region, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing an unidentified intelligence official.

"We cannot rule out the possibility that North Korea may fire another missile today into the west sea," the official was quoted as saying.

South Korea's JoongAng Ilbo daily said Friday's missile -- which fell into the water 100km from the North's eastern coast -- was a land-to-ship type known as the Silkworm or HY-2. Yonhap news agency likewise reported the North fired only one missile from its east coast.

In contrast to South Korean reports, Japanese media said at least two missiles were fired, both in the Yellow Sea off the Korean peninsula's west coast and into the waters between Korea and Japan.

South Korea's Defense Ministry could not immediately confirm the local reports and Japanese officials were not immediately available for comment.

Reports of a smaller number of missiles fired than previously thought helps justify the relatively mute response to Friday's test by US and South Korean officials.

The downplaying of the launches stood in vast contrast to the condemnation heaped on Pyongyang last July after the North conducted missiles tests that included a long-range variety capable of hitting Japan and even parts of the US.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Washington viewed the test "as a routine exercise that they do from time to time."

US criticism of North Korea has been subdued recently, reflecting the eagerness of US officials to make progress on the nuclear disarmament accord with the North that has been stalled by a financial dispute.

North Korea has yet to move on its pledge to shut down its main nuclear reactor because of a delay in the release of US$25 million at a Macau bank, which was blacklisted by the US for allegedly assisting the North's suspected money laundering and counterfeiting activities.

The North has made the funds' release a key condition to disarmament. It boycotted international negotiations for more than a year over the issue, and conducted a nuclear test last October.

Friday's test-firing came as South Korea celebrated the launch of a new destroyer equipped with Aegis radar, a system that will greatly enhance the South's ability to locate, track and shoot down North Korean aircraft and missiles. South Korea is one of only five nations armed with the US technology.

South Korea and Japanese analysts said the missile test was most likely a response to the South's new ship.