North Korea is preparing to conduct more missile tests soon, a South Korean newspaper reported yesterday, citing intelligence obtained by South Korean and US authorities.
A US spy satellite detected signs that the North had deployed about 10 missiles on a small islet north of Korea’s disputed western sea border and other adjacent areas, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, quoting an official who wished to remain unidentified.
North Korea reportedly fired two short-range missiles into waters off the west coast on Tuesday. South Korean and US officials declined to confirm the reports, but US State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said on Wednesday that the US “would advise against” any short-range missile firing by the North.
South Korean intelligence officials believe the North could fire more than five more missiles — KN-01 land-to-ship and Styx ship-to-ship missiles, Chosun Ilbo said.
North Korea already has issued a no-sail warning, banning ships from the area until next Wednesday, it said.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry and National Intelligence Service and the US military command in Seoul said they could not confirm the Chosun Ilbo report.
North Korea routinely test-fires short-range missiles but this week’s movements come at a time of increasing concern about security on the peninsula and speculation about the health of the North’s authoritarian leader, Kim Jong-il.
After agreeing to dismantle its nuclear program in exchange for energy aid and other concessions, the North stopped disabling its main nuclear complex in August over objections to US demands for verification of its nuclear programs.
A US nuclear envoy visited Pyongyang last week to try resolving the dispute but it’s unclear whether it produced any major breakthrough.
“The reported missile launches appear to have a multipurpose. They want to increase pressure on the US in nuclear negotiations, show to the outside world its military is still in good shape despite leader Kim’s health concerns and so on,” said Yoo Ho-yeol, a North Korea expert at Korea University.
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