S. Korea: North Deployed Ballistic Missiles on Eastern Coast
Local Editor
North Korea allegedly deployed one or two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles [also known as Rodong-B or BM-25] on its eastern coast, South Korean media reported.
The missiles were spotted in the area of the eastern port city of Wonsan, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said early on Thursday citing government sources.
"Given the fact, North Korea is likely to venture a launch on the occasion of Kim Il-sung's birthday," one source told Yonhap.
According to the government source, the missiles were deployed "some 20 days ago" and North Korea has since not withdrawn them. Other sources told Yonhap the missiles were loaded onto a mobile missiles launcher.
If North Korea launches Musudan missiles on Friday, it would be Pyongyang's first test-launch of the BM-25, according to Yonhap.
In early January, North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, putting a satellite into orbit a month later, in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. In March, North Korea conducted multiple short and medium-range rocket launches.
In response to the North's recent activities, the South and the United States launched large-scale military drills in the region.
The exercises, expected to last through April 30, include rehearsals of strikes on North Korea's missile and nuclear facilities in case of war.
For its part, Pyongyang labeled the drills as provocation.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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