Seoul - North Korea fired seven missiles within a ten-hour span on Saturday, reported the South Korean defence ministry, ratcheting up tensions anew on the Korean peninsula. The launches, from the country's eastern coast, come on top of four test firings Thursday that had already left the region on edge.
The latest missiles, with a range of 400 to 500 kilometres, were fired over the Sea of Japan, the ministry said. Citing military sources, South Korea's KBS broadcaster reported the missiles might be Scuds, although the use of Rodong missiles, which can reach South Korea and Japan, was not ruled out.
There was some suspicion that North Korea was taking advantage of the US July 4 Independence Day holiday to show off its strength.
The launches came as a North Korean nuclear test at the end of May, earlier missile firings and threats from Pyongyang as well as tightened UN sanctions against North Korea had ratcheted up tensions with the country.
"The July 2 rocket launches were seen as part of military exercises," said a South Korean official quoted by the South Korean national news agency Yonhap. "But today's rockets seem to be serving a political purpose."
The launches earned quick rebuke from around the region.
"It is a provocative act that clearly violates UN Security Council resolutions 1695, 1718, and 1874 that bar North Korea's every activity related to ballistic missiles," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement, national news agency Yonhap reported.
The ministry expressed its regret at North Korea's escalation of tensions in north-east Asia, and called on it to comply with UN resolutions.
Japan also condemned the rocket launches. Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said North Korea's action was "a serious act of provocation against the security of neighbouring countries, including Japan, and is against the resolution of the UN Security Council."
On Thursday, South Korea confirmed that North Korea had fired four short-range missiles over the Sea of Japan, with an estimated reach of 120 to 160 kilometres.
South Korea's Defence Ministry said Saturday's launches originated near the town of Wonsan on North Korea's east coast. North Korea had already blocked ship traffic in some of the waters near the town through July 10 due to military exercises.
Due to the July 10 date, South Korea has not ruled out the possibility of more launches. The defence ministry said it stood ready to defend itself from "any kind of threat or provocation by North Korea."
