A U.S. think tank predicts North Korea will likely launch an intercontinental ballistic missile in mid-July.

According to Radio Free Asia, senior researcher Charles Vick from the U.S. military think tank Global Security said in a phone interview that it is unlikely North Korea will pursue a missile launch around a South Korea-U.S. summit scheduled for June 16th, as some have speculated.

He said North Korea will most likely launch a long-distance missile in mid-July at the earliest, noting that the construction of the North's new Dongchang-ri missile launch base has not been completed.

The U.S. government-sponsored broadcaster quoted Global Security Director John Pike as agreeing with Vick on the timing of the North Korean missile launch.

Pike said North Korea's ability to launch intercontinental ballistic missiles is a bigger concern than the launch itself.