The South Korean military has detected activities in North Korea that suggest it may be preparing to fire a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off its eastern coast, officials said Saturday.
The suspicious signs came as South Korea and the United States are set to hold joint military drills involving a U.S. nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at the end of this month. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris also plans to visit Seoul on Thursday for talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol.
"We are closely monitoring North Korea's SLBM-related facilities and activities, and maintaining a thorough readiness posture," a military official said.
The military has recently detected possible signs of preparation for an SLBM test in the North's eastern coastal city of Sinpo, according to sources.
