North Korea Launches Short-Range Missiles into Sea
South Korea says North Korea has fired three short-range missiles into the East Sea -- also known as the Sea of Japan.
The South's Defense Ministry says it detected two launches Saturday morning, followed by another in the afternoon.
Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok says the North's intent was not clear. He says South Korea's military is watching for any additional launches and "possible provocations."
Japan's Kyodo news service reported a Japanese official confirmed the launches and said the missiles did not fall into Japanese waters.
The development comes during a period of tentative diplomacy aimed at easing tensions. Earlier this year, Pyongyang threatened nuclear strikes on South Korea and the U.S. in light of annual U.S.-South Korean military drills and U.N. sanctions imposed on the North after its third nuclear test in February.
About two months ago, North Korea fired off two short-range missiles into the sea off its east coast. Pyongyang routinely conducts such exercises in an effort to improve its arsenal.
source: Voice of America
- 300 reads
