(LEAD) N. Korea may launch ballistic missile after one or two weeks: official

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SEOUL, June 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to be preparing to test-launch a
long-range ballistic missile, an intelligence official in Seoul said Monday,
noting the launch could take place in one or two weeks.

"We believe the North could launch the missile at any time after one or two
weeks," the official said, asking not to be identified.
The assessment comes as the communist nation is believed to have moved a missile
to its new launch site in Dongchang-ri, North Pyongan Province, which has a
built-in launch pad, the official added.
The missile is in the process of being assembled at a facility at the Donchang-ri
site, another source said on condition of anonymity.
According to him, "The North is believed to have manufactured a set of three
long-range rockets. One of them was launched on April 5, the other is in
Dongchang-ri, and the other is being kept in a Pyongyang arms research center."
The report comes after officials here earlier said an intercontinental ballistic
missile was spotted last week on a cargo train for shipment.
The North's alleged move comes amid efforts by the U.N. Security Council to place
economic and diplomatic sanctions on Pyongyang for its latest nuclear test that
took place last Monday.
North Korea is prohibited from any nuclear or long-range missile tests, as well
as trade of heavy arms, under a 2006 U.N. security resolution adopted after its
first detonation of a nuclear device that year.
Pyongyang said last week it will reject any U.N. resolutions and take "stronger
self-defensive countermeasures" if the world body tries to take punitive action.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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