The Defense Ministry says it has not spotted any signs that a North Korean satellite launch is imminent.

Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae told a regular news briefing on Thursday that although Pyongyang seems to be progressing with its efforts to prepare for a satellite launch, the South has not spotted any defining movements in North Korea.

Meanwhile, a source close to the issue says that a rocket has yet to be installed on the supposed launch pad at the Musudan-ri base, North Hamgyeong Province and that the North has not banned the operation of vessels and airplanes in its waters or airspace, which is standard procedure prior to any satellite launch.

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