Anchor: The South Korean military has assessed that North Korea is in its final stages of expanding the launch pad at its Dongchang-ri missile facility. Military authorities believe the North could launch a long-range missile around October to coincide with the anniversary of its ruling party.
Our Bae Joo-yon has more.
 
Report: Since the end of 2013, North Korea has been carrying out construction to extend the height of its missile launch pad in Dongchang-ri from 50 meters to 67 meters.
 
South Korean military authorities now believe the construction has entered its final stages.
 
Authorities assess that with the expanded launch pad, the North will be able to launch missiles that have a longer range than the Unha-3 rocket it fired in 2012.
 
The Unha-3 rocket is said to have a range of more than ten-thousand kilometers. As a result, the North could potentially use the expanded launch pad to fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
 
A military official was quick to add that the construction does not mean that the North is ready to fire a missile as it needs a number of facilities in addition to the expanded launch pad to shoot long-range missiles.
 
Military authorities believe the North could engage in provocations, such as a missile launch, around October 10 when it will mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea.
 
The North is also raising tensions by building military facilities on the island of Galdo, located two-and-a-half kilometers north of the Northern Limit Line.
 
A military official said the South Korean military is maintaining readiness and closely monitoring possible provocations from the North.
Bae Joo-yon, KBS World Radio News.