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Thursday, Apr 11, 2013 11:10 AM UTC

North Korea claims to have “striking means” on standby

A North Korean agency that manages South Korean relations also says Pyongyang has entered coordinates for targets

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Topics: Associated Press, North Korea, South Korea, Asia, Pyongyang, The Committee for the Peaceful Reuinification of the Fatherland,

North Korea claims to have Kim Jong-un (Credit: AP/KCNA via KNS)

PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — A North Korean agency that deals with relations with South Korea claims Pyongyang has “powerful striking means” on standby for a launch amid speculation in Seoul and Washington that the country is preparing to test a mid-range missile.

The Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland also said Thursday it has entered coordinates for targets. But it didn’t elaborate on what it meant. The statement follows a recent torrent of warlike rhetoric seen as an effort to raise fears and pressure outside governments into policy changes.

The comments would carry more weight if they came from a military-related agency.

Analysts believe North Korea is extremely unlikely to stage an attack. But outside officials have said Pyongyang appears to be preparing to test-fly a missile that could reach Guam.

More Jean H. Lee.

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