North Korea appears to be preparing for the launch of a ballistic missile, South Korea’s central news agency reports.
According to Yonhap, just a day after Pyongyang said it had tested a hydrogen bomb capable of being mounted on a ballistic missile, the South Korean military has detected indications Pyongyang is readying for another long-range missile launch.
Sunday’s test has been met with widespread international condemnation. Jim Mattis, US defence secretary warned North Korea that any threats to the US or its allies would be met with a “massive military response”.
North Korea was expected to make an announcement at 15:00 local time Monday, according to Yonhap, but an announcement is yet to be made by Pyongyang.
Meanwhile, Seoul also announced Monday afternoon that it will advance the expansion of the controversial US missile defence system in South Korea.
Two rocket launchers have already been deployed under the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system, known as Thaad. The construction of a further four launchers, which had been delayed by new South Korea President Moon Jae-in, will now go ahead. The deployment has led to a rift in relations between Beijing and Seoul as China sees it as a threat to its own military capability.