North Korea is preparing to launch a long-range missile at its Dongchang-ri launch site in the northwest, the Defense Ministry said Thursday, signaling an imminent missile test by the communist country in the coming weeks.

North Korea has recently informed international maritime, aviation and telecommunication agencies that it will launch a rocket to put a satellite into orbit, taking a preparatory step for what the outside world believes will be a defiant test of a ballistic missile.

"In line with North Korea's warning of a missile launch sometime between Feb. 8-25, it is preparing for the launch at Dongchang-ri," ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said in a regular briefing.

Moon, however, did not provide any details of the intelligence, saying he cannot confirm or deny a Japanese report that a mobile launcher loaded with a ballistic missile was seen moving along North Korea's east coast.

The spokesman said South Korea will intercept any North Korean missile and debris if it falls in South Korea's land, sea or air territory.

"The military is ramping up its air defense readiness so it can intercept a missile or any debris that lands in our territory or waters," Moon noted. 

South Korea and the United States have also deployed military assets to detect and trace a North Korean missile if it is fired, he also added. (Yonhap)