North Korea readies missile launch platform-daily

SEOUL, June 17 (Reuters) North Korea has moved key components of a long-range missile to a launch pad as well as 10 large liquid-gas tanks to fuel it, a South Korean newspaper reported today, citing government officials.

The United States yesterday warned North Korea against conducting a ''provocative'' intercontinental missile test after US officials said there were signs a launch could take place as early as this weekend.

The South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo cited a South Korean government official as saying North Korea has deployed its long-range Taepodong-2 missile to a launch pad and has been testing components of the launch platform.

The officials said the data came from spy satellite images analysed by US and South Korean officials.

''North Korea is testing operations of the missile launch pad,'' the paper cited an official as saying. They could not tell if a possible launch was imminent or not.

South Korean government officials were not immediately available for comment. Seoul has warned North Korea not to test, saying a launch would present a grave concern for regional security.

The launch -- expected to involve a Taepodong-2 missile with an estimated range of 3,500 to 4,300 km -- could come as early as this weekend, US officials said. Other experts have said the missile can travel as far as 6,000 km.

Separately, Japan's Kyodo news agency said the North may say that it had put a satellite into orbit after it carries out the missile test in a bid to deflect international criticism.

Quoting military intelligence sources in a report out of Beijing, Kyodo said North Korean scientists have been working to determine a satellite orbit since earlier this year.

When North Korea shocked the world in 1998 by firing a Taepodong-1 missile that flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific Ocean, Pyongyang claimed that it was not a missile firing, but rather a rocket launch that had put a satellite into orbit.

The US officials said it seemed increasingly likely Pyongyang would go through with the launch -- rather than just making preparations to get US and international attention -- but that it could still decide to cancel.

REUTERS SRS BD1353