North Korea has moved two short-range missile launchers to its east coast , apparently signaling its intention to go ahead with plans for a test launch, a South Korean news agency in reporting.
An unidentified South Korean military source told Yonhap news agency satellite imagery showed two mobile launchers for short-range missiles had been moved to South Hamgyeong province, according to a report by The Guardian.
It's typical for North Korea to test-fire short-range missiles over the sea off the southern portion of its eastern coast.
"The military is closely watching the North's latest preparations for a missile launch," the source said.
Seoul and its allies have been expecting a missile launch for weeks, as tensions between the two Koreas have been ratcheted up.
The North moved two mid-range Musudan missiles in early April and placed seven mobile launchers in the same area, Yonhap said on Sunday
A South Korean defense ministry official said he could not confirm the new report on the south coast missile movements, adding there had been no signs of unusual activity by the North Korean government.
Pyongyang stepped up its defiance of the United Nations in December, when it launched a rocket officials from the North said has delivered a scientific satellite into orbit.
The move came in spite of Security Council resolutions condemning another test mission.
In February North Korea staged its third test of a nuclear weapon, triggering new U.N. sanctions, which led to a dramatic intensification of the hostilities that exist against South Korea and the US.
A show of force, such as launching missiles, could be staged by Pyongyang to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the founding of the North Korean Army.
Anxiety on the Korean Peninsula had eased in recent days, with North Korea at least hinting it might be open to sitting down for talks over its nuclear enrichment program.
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