Japan: NKorea warns ships away from missile base

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North Korea has warned ships to steer clear of waters off a coastal city near a missile launch base, Japan's coast guard said Friday, suggesting Pyongyang may be preparing for a short-range missile test.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency also reported heightened activity near a military base Friday, saying they indicate that the North is preparing to carry out a short-range, ground-to-ground missile test.

The apparent preparations came less than two months after the isolated communist nation launched a rocket, prompting U.N. condemnation. North Korea responded with threats to carry out more missile and nuclear tests.

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