South Korea's defence minister says missile launch not imminent

A North Korean missile launch is not imminent, South Korea’s defence minister said today amid heightened tension in the region over a possible test-fire of a long-range missile by the communist nation.

“It is our judgment that a launch is not imminent,” Yoon Kwang-ung told a parliamentary meeting in comments confirmed by his ministry.

Worries over a potential North Korean launch have grown in recent weeks after reports of activity at the North’s launch site on its north-eastern coast where US officials say a Taepodong-2 missile – believed capable of reaching parts of the US – is being fuelled.