Number of No-sail Zones Increased

According to South Korean media sources, on 1 February 2010 North Korean officials announced five additional no-sail zones off North Korea's western and eastern coastlines. The new no-sail zones include waters off of Kyodong Island, the coasts of Chulsan and Sunchon counties -- located in the northern Pyongan province -- and the waters near Kumya County in the northern Hamkyong Province. According to reports, all ships are banned from these locations between 0700-2000 local time beginning 31 January through 2 February. On 25 January, two other zones near the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL) were declared exclusion zones for shipping through 29 March. It is likely that North Korea is preparing to fire short-range missiles, similar to its actions in the past.