North Korea declares no-sail zone off coast in apparent preparations for missile launch

North Korea has reportedly installed a vertical launch tube, which holds and fires missiles, at its Sinpo dockyard on the east coast of the country

Missiles are displayed during a military parade in Pyongyang to mark 100 years since the birth of Kim Il-Sung (Getty)

North Korea has reportedly declared a no-sail zone off its east coast, in what could be a sign the country is preparing for a missile launch, according to Yonhap news agency.

The area that has been sectioned off is made up of the waters near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, in the Gangwon Province.

One of Kim Jong Un’s family compounds is reported to be located near to the Wonsan area.

The no-sail zone will be effective from November 11 to December 7, and covers movements of all ships in the area.

A government source said: “It is a vast area of the sea, so we are closely watching whether the North will launch a Scud or a new type of ballistic missile.”

The Scud missile was first developed by the Soviet Union and is a short-range missile.

Yonahp also reported that recent satellite images show that North Korea are preparing for another submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

The secretive country recently installed a vertical launch tube, which holds and fires missiles, at its Sinpo dockyard on the east coast of the country.

There is speculation that the test launch could involve a new type of missile that separates into several sub-missiles at high altitude.

South Korea’s defence ministry declined to confirm whether a no-sail warning had been issued.

According to NBC, North Korea have declared a no-sail zone before, but did not follow through with launching a missile.

The country is under UN sanctions after launching ballistic missiles and nuclear testing.