No-sail zone could mean missile tests

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has declared a no-sail zone for its ships off its east coast, the Republic of Korea's media reported on Monday, speculating that more missile launches are possible before the US secretary of defense visits Seoul this week.

Pyongyang fired four short-range missiles off its west coast on Friday in what South Korea called an attempt to stoke tension during the ROK's annual military drills with the United States.

The DPRK and ROK are locked in a tense standoff, trading harsh rhetoric recently over the arrest by Pyongyang of two South Korean nationals it accused of espionage.