N. Korea clears parts of East Sea ahead of possible missile launches

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- North Korea has banned ships from the waters off its
east coast starting Tuesday, a South Korean official said, a move seen as a
preparation to test-fire medium-range missiles.
North Korea imposed a similar ban late last month when it tested a nuclear device
and fired a series of short-range missiles off the east coast.
The latest ban, effective from June 9 to 29 according to the National
Oceanographic Research Institute, stretches as far as 265 kilometers from the
coastal city of Wonsan into the East Sea.
"The ban stretches from Wonsan at an angle of about 45 degrees northeast," Jang
Min-chan of the institute said by phone.
South Korean defense officials believe North Korea is preparing to test-launch
medium-range missiles from Anbyon in its southeastern region while assembling a
long-range one in the west.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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