THE White House says it "would not be surprised" if North Korea carries out another missile test, with reports Pyongyang has moved two mid-range rockets to its eastern coast.
"We've obviously seen the reports that North Korea may be making preparations to launch a missile, and we're monitoring this situation closely," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters today.
"We would not be surprised to see them take such an action. We have seen them launch missiles in the past ... And it would fit their current pattern of bellicose, unhelpful and unconstructive rhetoric and actions," he said.
"We urge them to stop with the provocations and to focus instead on meeting their international obligations and feeding their own people.
"They are only making themselves more and more isolated from the rest of the world."
NORTH KOREA TO LAUNCH NUCLEAR STRIKE AT US
The Pentagon declined to confirm reports about the missiles from South Korea's Yonhap news agency, but warned North Korea that "further provocative action would be regrettable".
Musudan-class missiles, pictured at a military parade in honour of the late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung's 100th birthday, appear to have been moved to its east coast, the South's Yonhap news agency reported. AFP PHOTO / Ed Jones
Yonhap reported that two intermediate Musudan missiles had been transported by train earlier in the week and loaded on vehicles equipped with launch pads.
The Musudan has never been tested, but is believed to have a range of around 3000 kilometres, which could theoretically be pushed to 4000km if they were to be given a light payload.
NORTH KOREA'S MISSILE THREAT TO AUSTRALIA `REAL'.
KIM'S CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER
That would cover any target in South Korea and Japan, and possibly even reach US military bases located on the Pacific island of Guam.
The Pentagon has said it will send missile-interceptor batteries to protect its bases on Guam, a US territory some 3380 kilometres southeast of North Korea and home to 6000 American military personnel.
GALLERY: KOREAN TENSION INTENSIFIES.
THE THREAT THAT WON'T GO AWAY.
Most experts think the North is not yet capable of mounting a nuclear device on a ballistic missile which could strike US bases or territory.
Tensions have soared on the Korean peninsula since the North test-launched a long-range rocket in December.
Forces deployed on the Korean Peninsula.
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