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ROK: DPRK fires 7 missiles off east coast

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-04 16:07

SEOUL: The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired seven missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, South Korea said, in what was likely to be seen as a message in defiance to the United States on its Independence Day holiday.

The launches, which came two days after DPRK fired four short-range missiles, could further escalate tensions in the region as the US tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the UN resolution imposed on the country for its May nuclear test.

South Koreans watch a television broadcasting an undated image of a missile launch by DPRK at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, July 4, 2009. [Agencies]

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff say six missiles were fired earlier Saturday and the seventh around 5:40 p.m. (4:40 a.m. EDT, 0840 GMT). The Defense Ministry said that the missiles were ballistic and are believed to have flown more than 250 miles (400 kilometers).

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted military officials as saying the missiles appeared to be a type of Scud missile. DPRK's Scuds are considered short-range, South Korea's military said.

DPRK is not allowed to fire Scuds, medium-range missiles or long-range missiles under the resolution banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.

Related readings: US: DPRK's launches 'not helpful' DPRK may fire missile toward Hawaii: Report Yonhap: S.Korea makes plans to counter DPRK missile DPRK preparing to launch medium-range missile: YONHAP

DPRK's state news agency carried no reports on the launches.

The chief of US Naval operations, Adm. Gary Roughead, said the American military was ready for any DPRK's missile tests.

"Our ships and forces here are prepared for the tracking of the missiles and observing the activities that are going on," Roughead said after meeting Japanese military officials in Tokyo on Saturday.

Speculation had been high that Pyongyang might launch more missiles.

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