TOKYO, May 19 (UPI) -- North Korea may be preparing for the launch of a Taepodong 2 long-range ballistic missile, Japanese government officials said Friday.
In North Korea's northeastern province of Hamgyong Bukto, it has moved a large trailer truck used to transport missiles since earlier this month, the officials said, Jiji press reported Friday.
The long-range missile of over 3,700 miles could reach parts of the United States.
In Tokyo, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee that he had known of possible missile launch preparations by North Korea for some time.
However, Japanese Defense Minister Fukushiro Nukaga told a press conference that the government does not believe a missile launch is imminent.
South Korean government officials said they were confirming.
