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N. Korea shows signs of plans to fire short-range missile for anniversary

October 8, 2015
(Yonhap/KCNA)

(Yonhap/KCNA)

SEOUL (Yonhap) — North Korea could fire a short-range missile to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Workers’ Party, Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Thursday.

The North has long been speculated to launch a long-range missile in Dongchang-ri on the North’s west coast.

Still, Han said the possible launch could take place elsewhere.

“There are signs of short-range projectile firing,” Han said in a parliamentary session, adding that the communist country is also preparing a large-scale ceremony for the anniversary on Saturday.

Military officials said North Korea may fire KN-09 missiles near the eastern port city of Wonsan.

Last month, the North vowed to launch a series of satellites as part of its space development program, calling it an exercise of its sovereign right.

Seoul and Washington view a satellite launch as a cover for testing the North’s ballistic missile technology, which is banned under U.N. resolutions.