Seoul denies signals of an impending launch of missiles from the North

According to some Pentagon sources last week the North administration transported a missile launcher on a truck to Kusŏng, near the northwestern coast of the country. Today is the anniversary of the Armistice between the two Koreas. A test would be another provocation after the July 4 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Moon Jae-in Administration confirms the line of dialogue.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The South Korean Army has said there is no clear indication of further North Korean ballistic missile launches.

"Currently, there is no sign of an imminent launch of North Korean missiles," said army Colonel Roh Jae-cheon, a spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Jcs), at a press conference. "Our military continues to closely monitor all North Korea's possible provocations by mobilizing combined surveillance systems in collaboration with the United States."

The statement denies the news appearing in some international media based on anonymous Pentagon sources. According to this information, last week the North administration moved a missile launcher by truck (Tel) to Kusŏng, near the northwestern coast of the country. News that, if confirmed, would represent another provocation by the North after the July 4 launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

The North has often chose the dates of its provocations with regard to precise political anniversaries. And today, the two Koreans mark the 64th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War, even there was never come to a formal peace treaty.

Another element that affects North Korea's missile tests is the climate. According to reports, in Kusong, in the northern province of Pyongyang, it is raining. This would imply a launch in the next few hours.

However, it has to be said that the North has improved its ability to hide the preparations for a launch until the last minute.

Cnn reported that in recent days the North conducted a missile expulsion test at a shipyard in Sinpo's eastern city. Citing an American defense official, the television broadcaster reported that it was a "cold launch system" test used primarily for an underwater missile.

If the North continued the missile experimentation it would be a heavy blow to the renewed Southern push for the inter-Korean dialogue promoted by the new president Moon Jae-in

"There is no change in the government's determination on dialogue," Moon Sang-gyun, spokesman for the Ministry of Defense told reporters while having to admit that his ministry is still waiting for the Northern response to the offer of dialogue.

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