June 25, 201015 yr From DefenseNews N. Korea Declares 'No Sail' Zone Off West Coast AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 25 Jun 2010 09:55 SEOUL - North Korea has announced a ban on shipping off part of its west coast and South Korea is watching for any signs of missile tests, the defense ministry in Seoul said June 25. "The move is seen as part of a routine exercise by North Korean troops, but we are closely monitoring their activities," a spokesman told AFP. The ministry declined to confirm a report by Yonhap news agency that the no-sail zone was declared from June 19-27 near the western port city of Nampo, north of the disputed inter-Korean sea border. It is unclear whether the declaration was in preparation for an artillery exercise or missile launches, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said. "We have yet to detect any signs of preparations for missile launches," a spokesman said. The North has frequently test-launched short-range missiles in the past. But tensions are running high following the sinking of a South Korean warship near the maritime border in March with the loss of 46 lives. South Korea, citing the findings of a multinational probe, says a North Korean torpedo sank the ship and is pressing for UN Security Council condemnation of its neighbor. The North denies involvement and threatens a military response to any U.N. actions.
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