North Korea preparing for mass test-launch of missiles

North Korea is preparing up to 10 more short-range missiles for a mass test-launch, South Korean news reports said on Thursday.

SEOUL: North Korea is preparing up to 10 more short-range missiles for a mass test-launch, South Korean news reports said on Thursday, two days after the North fired at least one missile into the sea.

Chosun Ilbo newspaper, quoting a government source, said a US satellite had spotted the North readying about 10 short-range missiles for launch from Chodo, an island navy base off the west coast.

The source said the military is preparing KN-01 surface-to-ship and Styx ship-to-ship missiles for launching from Chodo and its surroundings into the Yellow Sea.

"If North Korea fires missiles en masse, it can hardly be part of a routine exercise. Its intentions should be analysed in various ways," the source said.

South Korean intelligence authorities think North Korea may fire "more than five" of the missiles, Chosun said.

North Korea has banned shipping from sailing near Chodo until October 15, it added.
ADVERTISEMENT

Seoul's Yonhap news agency also reported plans to fire up to 10 missiles and the declaration of an exclusion zone.

Neither the defence ministry nor the Joint Chiefs of Staff office in Seoul would comment on the reports.

The North fired up to two short-range missiles into the Yellow Sea from Chodo on Tuesday in what Seoul officials described as "routine military exercises."
Download
The Economic Times Business News App
for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App
for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
READ MORE
ADVERTISEMENT

LOGIN & CLAIM

50 TIMESPOINTS

More from our Partners

Loading next story
Business News › News › Politics › North Korea preparing for mass test-launch of missiles
Text Size:AAA
Success
This article has been saved

*

+