South Korea fears further North missiles

  • 21/11/2017
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (not pictured) guides the launch of a Hwasong-12 missile in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on September 16, 2017. KCNA via REUTERS   ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THIS IMAGE. NO THIRD PARTY SALES. SOUTH KOREA OUT.     TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1F73835ED0
Photo credit: File

North Korea may conduct additional missile tests this year to polish up its long-range missile technology and ramp up the threat against the United States, South Korea's spy agency says.

North Korea is pursuing nuclear weapons and missile programs in defiance of UN Security Council sanctions and has made no secret of its plans to develop a missile capable of hitting the US mainland. It has fired two missiles over Japan.

The reclusive state appears to have carried out a recent missile engine test while brisk movements of vehicles were spotted near known missile facilities, Yi Wan-young, a member of South Korea's parliamentary intelligence committee, said.

No sign of an imminent nuclear test had been detected, Mr Yi noted. The third tunnel at the Punggye-ri complex remained ready for another detonation "at any time", while construction had recently resumed at a fourth tunnel, making it out of use for the time being.

"The agency is closely following the developments because there is a possibility that North Korea could fire an array of ballistic missiles this year under the name of a satellite launch and peaceful development of space, but in fact to ratchet up its threats against the United States," the politician told reporters after a closed-door briefing by the spy agency.

North Korea defends its weapons programs as a necessary defence against US plans to invade.

Reuters