美国官员：朝鲜从发射场移走两枚中程导弹

不愿透露姓名的华盛顿国防官员星期一晚间说，平壤最近把两枚舞水端导弹从东海的一个发射场移走。韩国媒体也报道了这一动态。

几个星期来，华盛顿警告说，朝鲜可能会发射尚未试射的舞水端导弹。这种导弹的射程可达3500公里，能达到该地区的几个美国目标。

白宫亚洲事务部资深主任罗素说，现在就把这一举动作为“好消息”来庆祝，还为时过早。他警告说，美国官员还不能排除朝鲜进行试射。

朝鲜在连续几个星期发出要对美国和韩国发动核攻击和常规攻击的威胁之后，已经逐渐减弱了叫嚣的强度。

与此同时，韩国总统朴槿惠星期二将在华盛顿会晤美国总统奥巴马。预计双方的会谈可能主要讨论平壤问题。

U.S. officials believe North Korea has removed two mid-range missiles from imminent-launch status, in an apparent further easing of tensions on the Korean peninsula.

Speaking anonymously late Monday, Washington defense officials said Pyongyang recently moved the two Musudan missiles from a launch site on the country's east coast. South Korean media are also reporting the move.

Washington had for weeks warned North Korea could launch the untested Musudan missiles, which have a range of up to 3,500 kilometers and could reach several U.S. targets in the region.

Daniel Russel, the White House Senior Director for Asian Affairs, says it is premature to celebrate the move as "good news," warning that U.S. officials cannot rule out a test.

North Korea has gradually reduced the intensity of its rhetoric, following weeks of threats of nuclear and conventional attacks against the U.S. and South Korea.

It also comes just before South Korean President Park Geun-hye meets Tuesday in Washington with U.S. President Barack Obama, for talks likely to focus on Pyongyang.