North Korean forces have been detected transporting ballistic missiles fuelling fears they are preparing to launch them.
The secretive state’s military movements have been spotted in satellite pictures by the South Korean government, local media reports.
It comes just days before South Korea and the USA are expected to hold a joint naval drill.
The US Navy confirmed yesterday that the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier would lead manoeuvres, which Pyongyang has angrily reacted to previously.
The secretive state’s military movements have been spotted in satellite pictures by the South Korean government, local media reports. Left: A Hwasong-12 missile and right: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un during a test launch in May
A North Korean ballistic missile on display during a military parade in Pyongyang in April this year
Tensions between the US and Kim Jong-Un’s regime over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme manifested in angry words exchanged between the world leaders.
President Donald Trump has jibed Kim Jong-Un, who is the third generation of the family to rule the nation, as ‘little rocket man’.
The missile movements were first reported in South Korean daily Donga Ilbo.
A government source told the newspaper that satellite images showed missiles being transported out of hangers near Pyongyang and in the North Phyongan province.
Military officials suspect the north could be preparing to launch missiles capable of reaching US territory.
In August, the world held its breathe as Pyongyang threatened to fire Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missiles at the island of Guam.
President Donald Trump has jibed Kim Jong-Un, who is the third generation of the family to rule the nation, as ‘little rocket man’
In August, the world held its breathe as Pyongyang threatened to fire Hwasong-12 intermediate-range missiles at the island of Guam. Pictured: In April, North Korea launched its ‘largest ever’ artillery drill
It is also possible that North Korea might be preparing to test a news Hwasong-13 ICBM, which has a longer maximum range — and could potentially reach the west coast of the US. Kim Jong-Un is pictured during a missile launch
A South Korean defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the report, saying: ‘We don’t comment on any matters of military intelligence’
It is also possible that North Korea might be preparing to test a news Hwasong-13 ICBM, which has a longer maximum range — and could potentially reach the west coast of the US.
A South Korean defence ministry spokesman declined to comment on the report, saying: ‘We don’t comment on any matters of military intelligence’.
He added: ‘We are keeping a close watch over the North.’
The joint drills between the US and South Korea come after a series of military movements around the Korean peninsula by US forces.
They were launched in response to numerous missiles tests by Pyongyang, which carried out a sixth test last month in defiance of international sanctions.
The nuclear-powered USS Michigin submarine arrived at the southern South Korean port of Busan. It came just days after another submarine, the USS Tuscon, left following a five-day visit.
Earlier this week, two US supersonic heavy bombers flew over the Korean peninsula — staging the first night-time joint aviation exercises with Japan and South Korea.
And 17 days before, four US F-35B stealth fightes and two B-1Bs flew over the area.