South Korea is “closely watching” to see if North Korea is planning a long-range missile launch, according to a government source cited by state news agency Yonhap on Sunday. Others say the North could test a submarine-launched ballistic missile, based on recent satellite imagery that has shown movement in that direction, including the installation of a vertical launch tube at the Sinpo dockyard on the east coast.
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In May, Ban planned to visit the North Korean border city of Kaesong, where South Korea runs an industrial complex, but the trip was called off at the last minute because Pyongyang abruptly withdrew its invitation for him for no clear reason. “Lots of topics could be on the table, from North Korean human rights issues to the nuclear problem to inter-Korean relations”. South Korean President Park Geun-hye said last week in a written interview with regional news agencies that she was open to meeting Kim if ties improve further.
Pyongyang’s nuclear activities have received worldwide condemnation.
It was also unclear whether Ban asked to make the trip or Pyongyang invited him.
North Korea has declared a no-navigation zone in the East Sea, possibly indicating a missile launch.
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North Korea is already under a raft of United Nations sanctions imposed after its three nuclear tests in 2006, 2009 and 2013. The two countries have approved a joint plan to detect and destroy North Korean missiles carrying weapons of mass destruction if needed.
