TOKYO (Sputnik) – The movement of a mobile launch pad with a ballistic missile has been spotted in the eastern coastal area of North Korea, Japanese NHK broadcaster reported on Thursday citing diplomatic sources.
3 February 2016, 10:22 GMT
On Tuesday, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) confirmed it had received North Korea’s notification of plans to launch a satellite between February 8 and 25. South Korea said that the North was planning to launch a long-range missile.
North Korea previously reported a successful launch of a satellite in 2012, in violation of a UN Security Council resolution. The resolution bans Pyongyang from launching rockets that may be used as ballistic long-range missiles with nuclear warheads.
Tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs escalated after Pyongyang said on January 6 that it had successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, triggering condemnation from the international community.


