N. Korea moves to test-fire missiles in northeast sea: officials

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SEOUL, May 22 (Yonhap) -- Signs that North Korea is preparing to test-fire
short-range missiles have been detected, as the communist state was busily
relocating missile-related equipment and vehicles in its northeast region and
banning ships from regional waters, South Korean officials said Friday.
"We've been seeing brisk activities along the North's northeast coast over the
past two to three days, indicating trucks mounted with mobile rocket launchers
are on the move," a South Korean defense ministry official said, speaking
strictly on condition of anonymity.
"Judging from an analysis of the military movements, the North appears to be
preparing to test-launch short-range missiles," he said.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official, who also declined to be identified, said the
ban on vessels in the northeastern coastal area could be a precursor to a missile
test.
"Such a ban usually comes ahead of a short-range missile test or a live-fire
drill," the official said.
According to the Japan Coast Guard, North Korea has warned ships to stay clear of
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 in 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.
North Korea test-fired short-range missiles from the east coast on three
occasions over the course of just over a month around this time of the year in
2007.
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