"Brisk activity"

Abnormal activity spotted at North Korean missile base:

The United States, South Korea and Japan have been closely monitoring a North Korean missile base where brisk activity has been spotted in the past several days, a newspaper reported here Wednesday.

The three countries have yet to confirm the movements at the base in Jeongju, 100 kilometers (some 60 miles) north of Pyongyang, are for test-firing missiles or for simple training, the largest-circulation South Korean daily Chosun Ilbo said, quoting an unnamed official.

"Since two or three days ago, there have been activities -- such as the relocation of mobile launchers in an apparent bid to test-fire Scud or Rodong missiles," the official said.

"We are following the movements to see if this is just part of a routine training or intended to launch a missile."