ROK prepares for possible DPRK ballistic missile launch

SEOUL - The Republic of Korea's defense ministry said Thursday that the military is preparing for possible launch of ballistic missile by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) around one of its most important national holidays.

Defense Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Kyun told a press briefing that the military is closely monitoring and preparing for the possibility for the DPRK's fifth nuclear test and the launch of ballistic missiles such as Musudan missiles.

Moon said it would be in line with top DPRK leader Kim Jong-un's orders on March 15 to test a nuclear warhead and ballistic rockets capable of carrying the warhead.

Regarding possibility for the launch of ballistic missiles from mobile launcher, Moon said it was possible for the DPRK to launch mobile ballistic missiles, noting that the military continued the monitoring and tracking of such possibility.

The spokesman, however, noted that the DPRK has yet to issue a no-navigation zone in waters off the country, widely seen as a sign to launch ballistic missiles.

Expectations have grown recently over the DPRK's ballistic missile firings ahead of the so-called Day of the Sun, an annual public holiday in the DPRK that falls on April 15 to mark the birthday of Kim Il-sung, founder of the country and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.