South Korea Says North Deployed Musudan Ballistic Missiles on Eastern Coast

North Korea has allegedly deployed one or two Musudan intermediate-range ballistic missiles (also known as Rodong-B or BM-25) on its eastern coast, South Korean media reports.

The missiles were spotted in the area of the eastern port city of Wonsan, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said early on Thursday citing government sources.

"Given the fact, North Korea is likely to venture a launch on the occasion of Kim Il-sung's birthday," one source told Yonhap.

North Korea marks the birthday of its late founder Kim Il Sung on Friday.

According to the government source, the missiles were deployed "some 20 days ago" and North Korea has since not withdrawn them. Other sources told Yonhap the missiles were loaded onto a mobile missiles launcher.

If North Korea does launch Musudan missiles on Friday, it would be Pyongyang’s first test-launch of the BM-25, according to Yonhap.

In early January, North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test, putting a satellite into orbit a month later, in violation UN Security Council resolutions. In March, North Korea conducted multiple short and medium-range rocket launches.

In response to North Korea's recent activities, South Korea and the United States have launched large-scale military drills in the region. The exercises, expected to last through April 30, include rehearsals of strikes on North Korea’s missile and nuclear facilities in case of war.

Pyongyang has labeled the drills as provocation.