hankyoreh

North Korea is about to fire a long-range ballistic missile, Kyodo News reported on Friday, citing informed sources close to the United States' military intelligence.

The Japanese news agency said that North Korea has already installed part of the Taepodong-2 missile on its launch pad.

The news came after the British news wire service Reuters reported earlier in the day that Pyongyang has accelerated preparations for testing the missile and the launch could take place as early as this weekend, also quoting unnamed officials in Washington.

South Korean officials admit the missile test appears to be imminent but have not ruled out the possibility that North Korean will change their minds to give up such a provocative action.

"We are still tying to verify the Reuters report that North Korea may test-fire a missile as early as this weekend," a foreign ministry official said. Seoul, June 16 (Yonhap News)