Seoul:
North Korea is highly likely to test-fire a barrage of missiles in coming days, a news report said on Thursday, a move that would aggravate the already-high tensions following Pyongyang's nuclear test and UN sanctions.
The North is expected to launch short or medium-range missiles, including banned ballistic rockets, from two sites on its east coast in early July, the South Korean newspaper JoongAng Ilbo reported, citing an unidentified intelligence source.
Last month, Pyongyang designated a no-sail zone off its east coast for military drills through July 10. Media reports have said the missile launches could come around July 4, the US Independence Day. The North tested a long-range missile on that day in 2006.
New missiles launches would seriously exacerbate the tensions running high since Pyongyang's May 25 nuclear test and a series of missile firings. The UN Security Council adopted a tough sanctions resolution last month to punish the communist regime.
Versions of short-range Scud or medium-range Rodong missiles are expected to be fired from one site in Anbyon, the JoongAng said. The Scud B missile has a range of 340 kilometers and the Rodong 1 has a range of more than 1,000 kilometers, it said.