SEOUL, March 4 (UPI) -- A much-anticipated North Korean rocket launch doesn't appear to be imminent, Seoul's unification minister said Wednesday.
Intelligence officials have been keeping a close eye on activities in North Korea pointing to an intercontinental ballistic missile test, which Pyongyang has said is a satellite launch. But South Korean Unification Minister Hyun In-taek, described as a hard-line foreign policy expert, says indications now are that a launch won't be happening soon, Yonhap, the South Korean news agency, reported.
"I don't think the launch is very imminent but various preparations are under way," Hyun said in his first meeting with reporters since taking office as Seoul's point man on North Korean issues. He added that a missile launch is only a "hypothetical situation" and voiced reservations about when it might be.
Hyun also expressed equivocation on whether Seoul will support international sanctions against North Korea because of the missile preparations, Yonhap said.
