US tracking North Korea missile launchers moving to the east

U.S. officials report that North Korea may be preparing for a test of its Musudan medium-range missile after seeing evidence of it being transported to North Korea’s eastern coast.

CIA Map of Sea of Japan with circle locating North Korea Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (previously Musudan-ri) and the text “Sea of Japan” only source: CIA

A launch would be the latest in a series of provocations by North Korea in recent weeks. More here

Earlier Thursday, South Korea’s defense minister told his nation’s lawmakers that a North Korean missile with “considerable range” had been transported to that country’s  eastern coast.

Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said he could not explain the movement and added that the missile was not capable of reaching the  United States.

The components, the official said, are consistent with those of a Musudan missile, which has a 2,500-mile range, meaning it could threaten South Korea, Japan and Southeast Asia.

The officials said that, two days ago surveillance satellites detected the movement by train of a Musudan mobile launcher as well as fuel and equipment needed for a missile launch.

One official said it is possible that as many as two missiles could be readied for a potential launch because there were more missile components spotted than might be needed if only one missile was being launched.

The U.S. is trying to locate the location on the eastern coast where the launcher and missile components are currently located.

The officials said there is speculation that a missile test could be in the works and that it could occur soon.  Unlike long-range missiles, which can spend weeks on a launch pad in preparation for a launch, mobile-launched missiles can be launched fairly quickly and with little warning.