The news agency cited sources as saying the move indicates the DPRK has inched closer to fielding the missile. US officials said the missile system, if fully operative, would be capable of hitting much of the States.
Meanwhile, the US has deployed additional Patriot missile systems to South Korea in response to the DPRK's rocket launch. The United States Forces Korea said the stationing is part of an emergency readiness exercise being carried out. The two allies are set to begin talks next week on a possible deployment of the US missile defense system THAAD.