Updated on
Summary
North Korea test-fired four missiles, South Korea's defense ministry said, in an act of defiance toward the United States that further stoked regional tensions already high due to its nuclear test in May. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missile were Scuds, which would mark an escalation by the reclusive North, which has fired several non-ballistic, short-range missile since the May 25 nuclear test. North Korea is barred by United Nations resolutions from firing ballistic missiles such as the Scud. North Korea fired two missiles, which appeared to be a Scud type, Yonhap quoted an anonymous South Korean official as saying early on Saturday. The missiles are estimated to have the range of about 500 km (310 miles). Two similar missiles were fired at intervals over the next few hours, Yonhap quoted a government source as saying. South Korean Defense Ministry sources confirmed the North fired four missiles off its east coast that traveled for about 400 km, which would indicate it fired ballistic missiles. The sources would not confirm the type of missiles.
