The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has put a long-range missile in place for a launch the United States warned would violate UN sanctions imposed on the country for past weapons tests.

The planned launch, seen by some regional powers as a disguised military exercise, is the first big test for US President Barack Obama in dealing with the DPRK, whose efforts to build a nuclear arsenal have long plagued ties with Washington.

The ROK daily Chosun Ilbo quoted a diplomatic source as saying the DPRK could technically fire the missile, which has the range to hit US territory, by the weekend.