North Korea is likely to resume military provocations at any time, South Korea's defense ministry said Wednesday after the communist country successfully test-launched a mid-range missile that may be able to reach the U.S. territory of Guam.



"There's a constant possibility that North Korea, depending on its political needs, will launch strategic and tactical provocations at any time if the (political) conditions the country wants to achieve are not created," the Ministry of National Defense said in a report to the National Assembly's defense committee session.



Since the North's rare party congress in early May, the country has been juggling military provocations and contrary dialogue offers to Seoul, the ministry said, referring to Pyongyang's recent series of proposals for military talks.



"Externally, North Korea is being engrossed in breaking out of international sanctions and isolation," the ministry said, adding that the country is seeking ways to circumvent the sanctions while tightening relations with its traditionally close countries.

