U.S. urges North Korea to avoid increasing tension

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department called on North Korea on Thursday to avoid taking any steps, such as missile launches, that could increase tension.

"We would urge North Korea to avoid any steps that increase tension on the peninsula," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack when asked about reports that North Korea had deployed missiles on its west coast for what appeared to be an imminent launch.

McCormack said the North Koreans had taken a series of steps over the past month -- such as barring U.N. monitors from its Yongbyon nuclear complex -- that were "not positive, not helpful." But he added: "What they have done thus far is reversible. They can take a different set of decisions. We urge them to do so."