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DPRK preparing for ICBM launch in mid-June: Yonhap

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-30 12:09

SEOUL, South Korea - Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) appears to be preparing for a long-range missile test, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported on Saturday, citing an informed source.

Related readings: DPRK tests another missile - UN DPRK fires short-range missile DPRK vows to take further defense measures' DPRK urged to return to nuke talks ROK, US raise watch level on DPRK

The source, asking not to be identified, said an inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) was recently spotted on a cargo train near Pyongyang, Yonhap said.

The missile has since been moved to an undisclosed location, according to the source.

"It usually takes about two months to set up a launch pad, but the process could be done in as little as two weeks, which means the North could launch a long-range missile as early as in mid-June," the source said.

The remarks came shortly after a defense source said some activities were spotted at a DPRK's munitions factory used to build long-range missiles.