The U.S. State Department has reiterated its stance that North Korea’s launching of a missile would clearly violate U.N. Security Council Resolution 1718.

State Department spokesman Robert Wood told a daily briefing that the resolution prohibits North Korea from engaging in ballistic missile activities. He was referring to reports that the North would conclude launch preparations very soon.

Wood said earlier this month that a ballistic missile launch by North Korea would be a provocative action.

But he did not confirm reports of Pyongyang deploying special forces near the inter-Korean demilitarized zone.