North Korea positions second missile for possible launch

(Vatican Radio) North Korea has reportedly moved a second missile to a possible launch site, days after declaring it may attack South Korean and American targets. Meanwhile, its government has told some foreign embassies in Pyongyang it may no longer guarantee their safety. South Korean officials say North Korea has moved two mid-range missiles by train, then put them onto mobile launch platforms near its eastern coast. Listen to this report from Alastair Wanklyn:

The launchers now appear to be hidden, and the officials speculate North Korea is preparing a surprise launch of rockets that could reach South Korea and Japan, and possibly even the U.S. territory of Guam. South Korea said it was moving two missile-tracking warships to monitor both sides of the Korean peninsula. The United States has at least two similar ships in the region and a land-based radar system in Northern Japan.

North Korea has accused the U.S. of pushing it towards war, citing annual exercises held in South Korea. And now it has told some foreign diplomats in Pyongyang -- including those of the British and Russian embassies there -- it will not guarantee their safety in the event that hostilities break out after Wednesday next week.

Britain's government is reportedly dismissing that as bluster aimed at further increasing pressure on Washington to offer Pyongyang talks and concessions.