US and South Korean officials have said North Korea might be preparing another ballistic missile test after three previous launches in 1998, 2006 and this year.
North Korea has over 1,000 missiles of various ranges. It has sold missiles and technology overseas, with Iran being one of the large buyers.
The North may have about 1,000 ballistic missiles alone -- including as many as 685 Scud missiles of various types and 320 Rodong missiles.
A UN resolution bans it from launching ballistic missiles.
North Korea launched a barrage of short-range missiles in May. However, there are no international agreements that bar it from test-launching these missiles.
North Korea does not have an operational missile that can hit the continental US, analysts believe.
Most analysts agree North Korea is some time away from building a nuclear warhead small enough to fit on a missile. The accuracy of the mid- to long-range missiles is also suspect.
North Korea designed its ballistic missiles to carry conventional weapons, chemical weapons and eventually nuclear warheads.
