North Korea warns ships near missile base: Japan

A new Missile test ? Most likely , and a little antagonism !

TOKYO (Reuters) - North Korea is warning ships to stay away from waters off its eastern city of Kimchaek, near a missile base, a Japan Coast Guard spokesman said on Friday, suggesting North Korea could be preparing for a possible short-range missile test.

Kimchaek is about 40 km southwest of the Musudan-ri missile base and the nearest urban area to the site from which the country launched a long-range rocket in April.

A Japan Coast Guard ship heard the warning from North Korea on Thursday saying that ships should stay away from waters in the 130 km (81 miles) range from Kimchaek until May 30, said Masahiro Ichijo, a spokesman at the Japan Coast Guard.

The Japanese ship was patrolling in the Sea of Japan when it caught the warning, Ichijo said, adding that it was not uncommon for countries to issue such warnings without going through an international organization.

North Korea did not give the reason for the warning, Ichijo said, adding that 130 km was a short distance considering the size of the Sea of Japan.

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