The Defense Ministry warns that North Korea may attempt regional provocations around the time of its planned rocket launch in early April.

In a report to the National Assembly’s special committee on inter-Korean relations, the ministry said that, with global attention focused on its rocket launch, Pyongyang may provoke military actions along the inter-Korean border.

The report said Pyongyang may fire artillery and ground-to-ship guided missiles on the western coast, and attempt coastal infiltration and provocations at the joint security area at the truce village of Panmunjeom or other areas along the demilitarized zone.

It noted that the North recently strengthened its patrol near the western sea border and conducted live-fire artillery and naval exercises with air support.

The ministry said the South Korean military increased air and naval patrols in the East Sea in cooperation with the United States following the North's threat against South Korean commercial airliners flying through its airspace.