MOSCOW, June 23 (RIA Novosti) - North Korea is to close for shipping its coastal waters near the port of Wonsan from June 25 until July 10 due to military exercises in the area, Japanese television reported on Tuesday.
The NHK channel said Japan's Coast Guard had received notification from North Korea's Ministry of Sea Transport warning that foreign ships were not allowed to enter an area measuring 110 by 450 kilometers (68 by 279 miles) in the Sea of Japan between the hours of 08:00 and 20:00.
Japanese and South Korean intelligence sources have said the North appears to be preparing to test-launch two intercontinental ballistic missiles, in defiance of new UN sanctions.
Japan's Yomiuri daily said last Thursday, citing Defense Ministry analysis and U.S. intelligence, that North Korea may even launch a long-range ballistic missile toward the U.S. state of Hawaii in early July.
The reclusive communist state carried out a series of short-range missile launches after its May 25 nuclear test, and has threatened steps to build up its deterrence potential to counter what it calls hostile U.S. policies.
