North Korea could fire a short-range missile to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Workers' Party, Defense Minister Han Min-koo said Thursday.
The North has long been speculated to launch a long-range missile in Dongchang-ri on the North's west coast.
Still, Han said the possible launch could take place elsewhere.
"There are signs of short-range projectile firing," Han said in a parliamentary session, adding that the communist country is also preparing a large-scale ceremony for the anniversary on Saturday.
Military officials said North Korea may fire KN-09 missiles near the eastern port city of Wonsan.
Last month, the North vowed to launch a series of satellites as part of its space development program, calling it an exercise of its sovereign right.
Seoul and Washington view a satellite launch as a cover for testing the North's ballistic missile technology, which is banned under U.N. resolutions. (Yonhap)