N. Korea Prepares Missile, Defenses

North Korea is bolstering its coastal defenses and preparing to launch another long-range missile, believed to be capable of reaching Alaska, from a new base on its west coast, reports said Monday.South Korean news reports said North Korea has transported its most advanced missile, which is believed to be able to reach Alaska or Guam, to a newly completed launchpad on its western coast near China.According to Yonhap news agency, South Korea is also scrutinizing an intelligence report that the North has ordered troops in charge of the disputed western sea border and along the west coast to double their stocks of ammunition.Yonhap cited an unnamed government official as saying that the activity of vehicles to and from military bases along the coast has increased. The Defense Ministry declined to confirm the report.South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, hosting a conference of Southeast Asian leaders on the southern island of Jeju, warned North Korea against any provocation."If North Korea turns its back on dialogue and peace and dare to carry out military threats and provocations, the Republic of Korea will never tolerate that," Lee said in his regular radio address. "I want to make clear that there won't be any compromise on things that threaten our nation's security."