Japan's top government spokesman Monday said it is possible that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) will launch a long-range ballistic missile following a weekend media report that Pyongyang is preparing to test-fire the missile.
"We cannot rule out the possibility that (Pyongyang) may test- fire an intercontinental ballistic missile, given its nuclear test on May 25," Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a news conference.
Pyongyang conducted the nuclear test following an announcement on April 29 that it would take self-defensive measures including a nuclear test and test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile, stirring the speculation over the missile launch, Kawamura said.
Kawamura added the Japanese government will try its best to collect information of the launch to secure the peace and security of Japan as well as the safety of people's livelihoods.
He also said Japan is making efforts in seeking for the U.N. Security Council to adopt a powerful resolution which includes additional sanctions on the DPRK.
South Korean media on Monday reported Pyongyang has shifted its most advanced long-range missile to a new west coast launch site and could fire the missile as early as mid-June.
(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2009)
