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Fears that North Korea is preparing to test-fire a short-range missile were renewed today. The Korea Herald reports that U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has told South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon that "there are some reliable indications but no definite information yet," that North Korea is preparing a short-range missile test. "I think it would be very unfortunate if the North Koreans were to do something like this and break out of the moratorium that they have been following for a number of years," Powell said.

According to Japanese officials, intelligence indicates active movements of missile units around several North Korean Rodong missile launch sites. Hours after that announcement, North Korea warned it could turn Japan into a "nuclear sea of fire."

Labels: DPRK, North Korea