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South Korean army soldiers stand guard at Unification Bridge in Paju, South Korea, near the border village of Panmunjom. Photo: AP

North Korea moves two more missile launchers as tensions simmer

It had been expected that Pyongyang would carry out a test on April 15 to coincide with celebrations marking the birth of North Korea's late founding leader Kim Il-sung, but this did not materialise.

North Korea
AFP

North Korea has moved two more missile launchers to its east coast, where preparations are apparently under way for a missile test as tensions simmer on the peninsula, a report said yesterday.

It had been expected that Pyongyang would carry out a test on April 15 to coincide with celebrations marking the birth of North Korea's late founding leader Kim Il-sung, but this did not materialise.

The North Korean military last week moved two launchers believed to be for Scud missiles to the northeast province of South Hamgyong, Yonhap news agency said, citing a top Seoul official.

"We have discovered the North has moved two additional TELs [transporter erector launchers] to the east coast ... after April 16," the official was quoted as saying.

Previously, the North was reported to have moved seven missile launchers to its coast facing the East Sea in apparent preparations for a test that would further escalate tensions.

Angered by fresh UN sanctions triggered by its third nuclear test in February and joint South Korea-US military exercises, the North has been issuing threats of missile strikes and nuclear war.

Thursday could be another possible day for a missile launch, with April 25 being the founding anniversary of the North's military.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: More missile launchers moved to stoke tension
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