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North Korea fires anti-ship missiles, says South Korea North Korea fires anti-ship missiles, says South Korea
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea has fired several anti-ship cruise missiles off its east coast, South Korea's military says.North Korea has fired several anti-ship cruise missiles off its east coast, South Korea's military says.
Authorities said they appear to be short-range "surface-to-ship" missiles, launched on Thursday morning from the city of Wonsan. Authorities said the weapons, launched on Thursday morning near the city of Wonsan, appeared to be short-range "surface-to-ship" missiles.
They flew about 200km (125 miles) before landing in the water.They flew about 200km (125 miles) before landing in the water.
Repeated missile tests by the North this year - not all of them successful but all a breach of UN sanctions - have sparked international alarm. Repeated ballistic missile tests by the North this year - not all successful but all a breach of UN sanctions - have sparked international alarm.
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles and most of them skim the water. North Korea has previously unsuccessfully tested anti-ship ballistic missiles, experts believe. Experts fear the tests indicate progress towards Pyongyang's ultimate goal of putting a nuclear warhead on a missile.
On 29 May the North fired a Scud-type ballistic missile from the same location, which flew about 450km. The latest firing, however, does not violate the UN Security Council's resolutions against the North, as those resolutions only ban ballistic missile launches, reported South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Last Friday the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new US resolution to impose targeted sanctions on certain North Korean officials and state entities. South Korean military spokesman Roh Jae-cheon said the latest launch showed the North "likely wanted to show off its ability to precisely target a large warship" after recent military drills involving US aircraft carriers and South Korean troops.
The US has also ramped up its military presence in the region in response to these missile tests. Two US aircraft carriers have recently been carrying out naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, reported Reuters news agency citing the US military. "By testing different types of missiles, North Korea also appears to be aiming to secure the upper hand in relations with South Korea and the United States," he told reporters.
However, South Korea said on Wednesday it was suspending the further deployment of a controversial US anti-missile defence system called Thaad, until an environment assessment is complete. Anti-ship cruise missiles are guided missiles which generally skim the water. In 2012, North Korea displayed several such weapons known as Styx.
Pyongyang has been testing its missiles at an unprecedented pace. Experts fear the tests indicate progress towards Pyongyang's ultimate goal of putting a nuclear warhead on a missile that could strike continental US. But North Korea has also previously unsuccessfully tested anti-ship ballistic missiles, experts believe.
On 29 May, it fired a Scud-type ballistic missile from the same location, which flew about 450km.
Last Friday the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution to impose targeted sanctions on certain North Korean officials and state entities.
The US has also ramped up its military presence in the region, conducting drills with Japan as well as South Korea, and is installing a controversial missile defence system in South Korea, known as Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system (Thaad).
But South Korea said on Wednesday it was suspending the further deployment of the system until an environmental assessment is completed.