N. Korea clears northeast waters ahead of possible missile test

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to have barred ships from waters
off its northeast coast ahead of a military drill that could involve a missile
test, a South Korean official said Friday.
"Such a ban usually comes ahead of a short-range missile test or a live-fire
drill," a Joint Chiefs of Staff official said, speaking on condition of anonymity
and declining to give details.
According to the Japan Coast Guard, North Korea warned ships to stay clear of the
waters within a 130-km radius from the city of Kimchaek in its northeastern
region until the end of this month.
The ban, effective from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., follows North Korea's threats to
conduct further missile tests to protest the U.N. Security Council condemnation
of its April 5 rocket launch.
North Korea says the launch from its northeast coast put a satellite into orbit,
while the U.S. and Japan say no object entered space.
North Korea has also threatened to conduct a second nuclear test, raising
tension in the region. The North first tested an atomic device in October 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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