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North Korea 'fires three ballistic missiles' North Korea 'fires three ballistic missiles into sea'
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea has fired three ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan, the South Korean military says. North Korea has fired three ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, say US and South Korean military officials.
The missiles, believed to be Scud-types, were launched from the western city of Hwangju, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. The missiles were launched from the western city of Hwangju, said South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.
They flew some 500km and 600km (311 to 373 miles), with a range enough to reach all of South Korea. The US said the first two were believed to be short-range Scud missiles while the third was presumed to be a mid-range Rodong.
It comes after the US and the South said they would deploy an anti-missile system to counter the threats. It comes after the US and South Korea said they would deploy an anti-missile system to counter the North's threats.
Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a series of missile launches. North Korea is barred by UN sanctions from any test of nuclear or ballistic missile technology. But tensions have soared since it carried out its fourth nuclear test in January.
The latest launches happened between 05:45 local time (20:45 GMT on Monday) to 06:40, the military statement added. It has also conducted several launches in recent months, including a test of mid-range missiles in June which were considered its most successful yet.
"The ballistic missiles flight went from 500km to 600km, which is a distance far enough to strike all of South Korea including Busan," South Korea's military said in a statement. Busan is a port city in the south. Seoul has said activity detected recently in North Korea indicates it could be preparing to conduct a fifth nuclear test imminently.
The North has fired several missiles in recent months, including mid-range missiles in June, in violation of the UN resolution banning it from use of ballistic missile technology. The latest launches happened between 05:45 local time (20:45 GMT on Monday) and 06:40, the South's military said, in a statement quoted by Yonhap news agency.
On 7 July Seoul and Washington decided to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system in the South. "The ballistic missiles flight went from 500km (310 miles) to 600km, which is a distance far enough to strike all of South Korea including Busan," South Korea's military said in a statement. Busan is a port city in the south.
The North's military said it would retaliate with a "physical response". The US Strategic Command said it had tracked the launches, but that they had posed no risk to US interests.
Earlier this month, Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system in the South. The system will be based in the town of Seongju, in the south-east.
The North's military had warned it would retaliate with a "physical response".
China has also criticised the decision, saying it will destabilise security in the region.China has also criticised the decision, saying it will destabilise security in the region.