North Korea is preparing to launch a missile off its west coast today or tomorrow, a South Korean official is reported to have said.

North Korea upset the international community by launching this missile last April

The reports follow North Korea testing its second nuclear weapon yesterday.

The unnamed South Korean official was quoted by Yonhap news agency.

The official said: “North Korea declared a ban for ships in the sea off its South Pyongan province between the 25th to 27th (of May).

“It looks like it will fire a short-range missile between today and tomorrow.”

Earlier, US President Barack Obama said weapons tests “pose a grave threat to the peace and security of the world”.

“North Korea’s actions endanger the people of Northeast Asia, they are a blatant violation of international law, and they contradict North Korea’s own prior commitments.

“Now, the United States and the international community must take action in response.”

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the communist state’s media outlet, said America’s hostile policies have not changed under the Obama adminstration.

KCNA said North Korea is fully prepared for any “reckless” US attempt to attack it.

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