Japan's top government spokesman says it does not appear that North Korea is about to test-fire a long-range ballistic missile. Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe was responding to reports today (Friday) by Japanese broadcaster NHK that satellite pictures show signs of activity at a launch site in northeastern North Korea. NHK was quoting unidentified South Korean government officials. Abe says Tokyo does not believe a launch is imminent. He made no further comments on the issue.
In 1998, North Korea surprised Japan and governments around the world by firing a long-range missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean. Pyongyang also launched at least two other missiles into the Sea of Japan three years ago.