The United States has information that North Korea is preparing additional supplies of ballistic missiles to Russia, as well as long-range self-propelled artillery and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).

In this volatile and extremely uncertain landscape, South Korea has little to gain and much to lose by taking premature action that might harm its national interests.

Pyongyang has long coveted an advanced air-defense system to guard against missiles and war planes from the United States and South Korea.