"China has sent North Korea its strongest warning yet not to “misjudge” the crisis on the Korean Peninsula, telling Pyongyang it “cannot shirk its responsibility” for ratcheting up tensions.

The warning from North Korea’s only major ally came as speculation mounted that missile tests are imminent. US and South Korean officials are playing a waiting game, saying the launch of mobile weapons could come “at any time”, according to Pentagon sources quoted in the US media. South Korean intelligence claims launch preparations are complete for a short-range Scud missile in addition to the Musudan, which has a range of up to 4,000km. A Rodong, with a range of 1,300km, is also ready to launch from a coastal area, claims Seoul-based Hankyoreh newspaper."

[link to www.independent.co.uk]