Deadlock over DPRK's missile launch possibly lengthened: S.Korean defense minis

Deadlock over the Democratic People ' s Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s missile launch will be possibly lengthened, South Korea's defense ministry said Monday.

"(The government and the military) have continued to say that North Korea (DPRK) can launch missiles after April 10," Kim Min- seok, spokesman at the Ministry of National Defense, told reporters at a press briefing. "But, five days have already passed since then, and (the launch period) can be lengthened under such circumstances."

Kim noted that if the DPRK injected fuel into the missiles before April 10, Pyongyang can fire them off at any moment when the political decision is made, saying that the military has been prepared for such situation.

Pyongyang was believed to have moved intermediate-range missiles, estimated to be Musudan, to its east coast. Other missiles, including Scud and Nodong, were also believed to be mounted on mobile launchers known as the transporter-erector- launcher (TEL).

The Musudan is estimated to have a range of about 3,500 kilometers and reach the U.S. military base in Guam. The Scud is estimated to have a range of between 300 and 500 kilometers, with the rage for Nodong estimated at 1,300-1,500 kilometers.