(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/130506-musudan-hmed-5p.photoblog600.jpg)KCNA via EPA fileThis October 2010 photo, released then by the North Korean Central News Agency, KCNA, shows two Musudan missiles in a military parade marking the 65th anniversary of the foundation of the Workers' Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea. North Korea moved two Musudan missiles to a launch site on the country's east coast in early April.By Jim Miklaszewski, Courtney Kube and Andrew Rafferty, NBC NewsNorth Korea has downgraded two Musudan missiles from launch-ready status and removed them from their launch site on the country's east coast, a senior U.S. official confirmed to NBC News.
Follow @NBCNewsWorld (http://twitter.com/NBCNewsWorld) Officials would not say where the missiles were moved, but earlier Monday Pentagon press secretary George Little said North Korea's rhetoric has been toned down in recent weeks, calling it a "provocation pause."
The Musudan missiles have a range of 1,900 to 2,200 miles, threatening not only South Korea but also Japan and American military bases on Guam. Testing the medium-range missile would have increased the already high tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.
Last month, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a missile test would be a "huge mistake" (http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/12/17715774-john-kerry-in-seoul-north-korea-missile-launch-would-be-huge-mistake?lite) and a "provocative and unwanted act."
North Korea's move comes just one day before President Barack Obama meets with South Korean President Park Guen-hye at the White House. The two will hold a joint press conference following a working lunch. U.S. officials have stated a firm commitment to protect South Korea as rhetoric increased from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un throughout the beginning months of 2013.
Last week the Pentagon released a report to members of Congress stating that North Korea is getting closer to achieving its stated goal of developing a nuclear weapon capable of being delivered to the U.S. but gave no timetable when the weapon might be complete.
Reuters contributed to this report.
NBC News