[Yonhap Photo]
South Korea's spy agency raised the possibility of North Korea's fresh ballistic missile test before the end of this year, citing brisk activities at its missile research center.
The National Intelligence Agency (NIS) suggested in a report Monday to a parliamentary intelligence committee that brisk vehicle movements have been detected at the North's missile research center, according to lawmakers who attended the closed session.
North Korea also appeared to have tested missile engines, the lawmakers said, adding the spy agency was closely watching. The North runs a missile engine test site in Magunpo southwest of the North's northeastern port of Hungnam as well as a missile assembly plant in Pyongyang.
North Korea's last missile launch came in September following tough UN sanctions prompted by a powerful nuclear test. An intermediate range ballistic missile flew about 3,700 kilometers (2,294 miles) over the territory of Japan.
Citing intelligence information, the NIS also reported that the North's General Political Bureau, a powerful military body in charge of personnel management, has been under an inspection led by Choe Ryong-hae, a vice chairman of the North's ruling Workers' Party, who came back this year as the right-hand man of leader Kim Jong-un.
The bureau has been controlled by Hwang Pyong-so and deputy chief Kim Won-hong, who have been known to have exercised a broad influence over the military.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
