North Korea has declared a no-sail zone in the waters south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), which is the maritime border in the Yellow Sea.

A military official in Seoul said Tuesday that the North ordered ships to stay away from an area north of Baengnyeong Island and another area east of the South Korean island from January 25th until March 29th.

The official says the government is closely monitoring the areas to find out whether the designation is just part of routine winter military exercises or if it is a sign that the North is preparing to launch short-range missiles.

Another official said the military is analyzing the intent of the North’s announcement.

The North designated a peacetime firing zone along the disputed sea border in December last year.