WASHINGTON, June 12: North Korea is making plans to test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that could reach the United States and the launch could come soon, US officials said on Monday.

One official said there was some debate over the timing of a possible test but a second official said it could happen within the coming weeks.

Japanese media for several weeks have reported there have been signs of North Korea making preparations to test a multiple-stage Taepodong 2 missile since early last month.

“There is no doubt about it, that is to say they are engaged in missile test preparations completely consistent with launching a missile,” said one government source, .

The second official said: “There are truly signs that they are going to go ahead with this .... (and it could come) within the next week or so.” —Reuters