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Region fears more N Korea tests N Korea 'prepares for more tests'
(about 4 hours later)
North Korea has moved its most advanced long-range missile to a new launch site and has banned ships from the waters off its west coast, reports say. North Korea is reportedly moving closer towards another launching another long-range missile.
South Korean newspapers said the missile has arrived at the Dongchang-ni launch site on the north-west coast. According to South Korean media, the North has moved its most advanced missile to a new launch site and banned ships from waters off its west coast.
The warnings came after US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said Washington would not accept a nuclear-armed North. The move came after US and Japanese officials said they would not accept a nuclear-armed North.
A regional summit hosted by South Korea is expected to condemn the North's recent nuclear and missile tests.A regional summit hosted by South Korea is expected to condemn the North's recent nuclear and missile tests.
The North could fire the missile as early as 16 June when South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Barack Obama hold a summit in Washington, suggested the Dong-a Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo newspapers.The North could fire the missile as early as 16 June when South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and President Barack Obama hold a summit in Washington, suggested the Dong-a Ilbo and JoongAng Ilbo newspapers.
They quoted unidentified sources as saying the missile is believed to be a version of the Taepodong-2 rocket fired on 5 April.They quoted unidentified sources as saying the missile is believed to be a version of the Taepodong-2 rocket fired on 5 April.
The Chosun Ilbo paper added that North Korea had also designated a large area off its west coast as a "no-sail" zone until the end of July. The Chosun Ilbo paper added that North Korea had also designated a large area off its west coast a "no-sail" zone until the end of July.
Other reports say there has been increased activity around military bases in the area and that troops have been ordered to increase their stocks of ammunition.
'Highly destabilising'
Last week, South Korean officials said US satellites had detected apparent preparations to transport a missile for a test launch.Last week, South Korean officials said US satellites had detected apparent preparations to transport a missile for a test launch.
The missile being readied for a new launch is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile or ICBM with a range of up to 6,500 km (4,000 miles), the JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing an unnamed South Korean official. That would put Alaska within striking range. The missile being readied for launch is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a range of up to 6,500 km (4,000 miles), the JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing an unnamed South Korean official. That would put Alaska within striking range.
ESCALATING TENSIONS 27 May - North Korea says it is abandoning the truce that ended the Korean war and reportedly test-fires another missile26 May - The North test-fires short-range missiles as South Korea announces it will join a US-led initiative to control trafficking in weapons of mass destruction26 May - President Barack Obama pledges military support for America's East Asian allies, as the UN condemns the nuclear test 25 May - North Korea stages its second nuclear test, triggering international condemnation29 April - Pyongyang threatens to carry out a nuclear test unless the UN apologises for criticising its recent rocket launch14 April - Pyongyang says it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism of its rocket launch5 April - The North goes ahead with a controversial rocket launch, seen by major governments as a cover for a long-range missile test Q&A: North Korea nuclear test What is N Korea's game plan?
Monday's newspaper reports said North Korea's construction of the new launch site at Dongchang-ni was near completion.Monday's newspaper reports said North Korea's construction of the new launch site at Dongchang-ni was near completion.
Previous long-range missiles have been fired from a site on the country's north-east coast.
The North Koreans may believe the new test site's location in the north-west, close to the Chinese border, makes it less vulnerable to attack, says the BBC's Chris Hogg in Seoul.
After meeting US Deputy Secretary of State Jim Steinberg in Tokyo, Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka said: "We absolutely cannot accept that North Korea will have nuclear weapons".
Mr Steinberg called Pyongyang's recent actions "highly destabilising".
"We reaffirm our commitment to work together along with South Korea, China and Russia to return North Korea to the path of complete and verifiable denuclearisation," Mr Steinberg said.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said he hoped an forthcoming meeting of envoys would find agreement on a way to move forward the stalled six-party talks, which also include North Korea.
On Friday, Pyongyang fired a short-range missile off its east coast, and warned of "self-defence" measures if the UN Security Council imposed sanctions over what it says was a successful nuclear test carried out earlier in the week.
The North has been subject to international criticism, from the US, China and Russia among others, since the explosion, which, if confirmed, would be the North's second atomic test.
On 5 April, the North launched a long-range rocket which flew about 2,000 miles (3,200km), crossing over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean. Pyongyang said it was intended to put a satellite into orbit.
Further heightening tensions between the US and North Korea is the start of the trial in Pyongyang on Thursday of two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, accused of entering the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts".
Regional fearsRegional fears
The BBC's correspondent in Seoul, Chris Hogg, says South Korea is attempting to strengthen ties and extend its influence with South-East Asian countries. Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean) leaders are meeting in Seogwipo, South Korea, on Monday. Hosting a summit of South-East Asian leaders in Seogwipo, South Korea, President Lee Myung-bak warned the North against further provocative acts.
"If North Korea turns its back on dialogue and peace and dares to carry out military threats and provocations, the Republic of Korea [South Korea] will never tolerate that," he said.
Our correspondent says the gathering offers an opportunity to Mr Lee to shore up support for the tougher stance he has taken against North Korea than his predecessor did.Our correspondent says the gathering offers an opportunity to Mr Lee to shore up support for the tougher stance he has taken against North Korea than his predecessor did.
ESCALATING TENSIONS 27 May - North Korea says it is abandoning the truce that ended the Korean war and reportedly test-fires another missile26 May - The North test-fires short-range missiles as South Korea announces it will join a US-led initiative to control trafficking in weapons of mass destruction26 May - President Barack Obama pledges military support for America's East Asian allies, as the UN condemns the nuclear test 25 May - North Korea stages its second nuclear test, triggering international condemnation29 April - Pyongyang threatens to carry out a nuclear test unless the UN apologises for criticising its recent rocket launch14 April - Pyongyang says it is ending talks on its nuclear activities and will restore its disabled nuclear reactor after UN criticism of its rocket launch5 April - The North goes ahead with a controversial rocket launch, seen by major governments as a cover for a long-range missile test class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/2340405.stm">Q&A: North Korea nuclear test class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8068567.stm">What is N Korea's game plan? The hardline North, under President Kim Jong-il, has threatened military action against the South after Seoul's decision to join a US-led security initiative under which North Korean ships could be stopped and searched.
The possibility that Pyongyang might one day be able to threaten the rest of Asia with a nuclear weapon worries Asian leaders who will be looking for reassurance that the crisis is under control.
On Friday, Pyongyang also fired a short-range missile off its east coast, and warned of "self-defence" measures if the UN Security Council imposed sanctions over what it says was a successful nuclear test carried out earlier in the week.
The North has been subject to international criticism, from the US, China and Russia among others, since the explosion, which, if confirmed, would be the North's second atomic test.
The hardline communist state, under President Kim Jong-il, has threatened military action against the South after Seoul's decision to join a US-led Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), under which North Korean ships could be stopped and searched.
US and South Korean troops are currently on high alert after the North said it was no longer bound by the truce that ended the Korean war in 1953.
Pyongyang says Seoul's decision to join the PSI is tantamount to an act of war.Pyongyang says Seoul's decision to join the PSI is tantamount to an act of war.
US and South Korean troops are currently on high alert after the North said it was no longer bound by the truce that ended the Korean war in 1953.