North Korea preparing new launches of short-range missiles

MOSCOW - There are indications that North Korea may be preparing to conduct new launches of short-range missiles from its west coast a day after missile tests from the east coast, South Korea's news agency Yonhap reported according to RIA Novosti.

North Korea earlier declared a navigation ban in waters off its east and west coasts from October 10 to October 20, and test-fired five short-range KN-02 (SS-21 Scarab variant) ballistic missiles on Monday from a testing range in Cape Musudan, the agency said citing a South Korean government source.

North Korea is banned from conducting nuclear or ballistic tests under UN Resolution 1718, adopted after North Korea's first nuclear test on October 9, 2006.

The speculation comes shortly after Pyongyang agreed to hold talks with Seoul later this week on flood prevention in the border regions and several humanitarian issues, including the reunions for families separated since the 1950-53 war.

The latest reunion, mediated by the International Committee of the Red Cross, took place in September after almost a two-year break.

The North had suspended reunions amid tensions with the South following the election last year of President Lee Myung-bak, who has taken a tougher position on North Korea's nuclear program and on financial aid to Pyongyang.

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