The United States said on Friday that it would be "a real source of concern" to the international community if the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) does launch a long-range missile.

"If in fact North Korea did launch a long-range missile, it would be a real source of concern to the international community," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

"They haven't done so since 1998, that was the last time they launched a long-range missile. Since then, they have abided by a moratorium on the launch or testing of long-range missiles. And we believe that such a launch would also contravene the letter and the spirit of the September 19th, 2005 joint statement which North Korea signed on to," McCormack said.

However, McCormack stressed that he could not confirm reports that the DPRK plans to launch a intercontinental missile.

According to South Korea and Japanese officials, the DPRK moved a missile to a launch site this month but there has been no credible intelligence yet that the DPRK is preparing to launch it.

Source: Xinhua