North Korea may launch an intermediate-range ballistic missile amid the United States presidential election, South Korea’s military warned on Monday, according to Yonhap.
A Joint Chiefs of Staff official told the media that the country’ military along with U.S. forces is “closely watching every move” by Pyongyang and is ready to respond in case a missile is fired. South’s military believes the North plans to “send a strong message to the next president” that it is not going to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.
North Korea last fired an intermediate-range Musudan rocket on October 20, but the launch was not successful. It was the eighth time the country launched such a missile since the beginning of the year. Pyongyang also conducted two nuclear tests in 2016.
U.S. presidential election will take place on Tuesday and is expected to be a close call between Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.
Image: EPA / KCNA
