CNN Sources Claim N.Korea May Be Prepping Intercontinental Missile Launch

US satellites have collected information that North Korea may be preparing to launch a ballistic missile from a mobile platform that is capable of hitting the US Pacific coast, CNN reported citing sources in the US intelligence agency.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Another scenario for the possible missile launch by North Korea may be targeted at the state of Alaska or the Pacific island of Guam.

Earlier, North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a new engine for an intercontinental ballistic missile, which was reportedly conducted by the country's leader Kim Jong-un.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated after North Korea successfully carried out a hydrogen bomb test in early January and put a satellite into orbit a month later, violating UN Security Council resolutions and triggering condemnation from the international community.

Pyongyang conducted multiple short and medium-range rocket launches throughout March. Reportedly, North Korea has allocated 15.8 percent of the 2016 state budget for defense purposes.