Seoul: North Korea may fire more missiles

Seoul: South Korea said yesterday it is closely monitoring North Korean military sites because the communist nation may fire more missiles, amid speculation that a long-range test launch aimed toward the US is possible in coming days.

The North fired four short-range missiles off its east coast on Thursday, just ahead of the US Independence Day holiday today. The US and Japan called the North's move "provocative."

In 2006, North Korea launched its most advanced Taepodong 2 missile while the US celebrated July 4, though the rocket broke apart shortly after takeoff and fell into the ocean.

"We are keeping a close watch on North Korea as it may fire more missiles," said an official with South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. He added that the North's no-sail zone announced last month for military drills remains in effect in waters off its east coast through July 10.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media, did not elaborate on whether the North could fire short-, medium- or long-range missiles. Pyongyang is banned from testing ballistic missiles under UN resolutions.

In April, North Korea threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile and warned of a nuclear test. The regime followed through with the underground atomic blast in May, leaving the ICBM test as its next likely step.

Speculation has centred on whether the North may try to fire a long-range missile toward Hawaii during the period up to July 10. Missile defences were beefed up following a mid-June report in a Japanese newspaper that the North might fire a long-range missile toward the islands in early July.