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| North Korea missile tests defy UN | North Korea missile tests defy UN |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| North Korea has test-fired a series of missiles in an apparent act of defiance on 4 July, American Independence Day. | North Korea has test-fired a series of missiles in an apparent act of defiance on 4 July, American Independence Day. |
| Reports say at least seven Scud-type ballistic missiles were fired, with a range of about 500km (312 miles). | Reports say at least seven Scud-type ballistic missiles were fired, with a range of about 500km (312 miles). |
| South Korea and Japan called the latest tests, which follow several others in recent weeks, an "act of provocation". | South Korea and Japan called the latest tests, which follow several others in recent weeks, an "act of provocation". |
| North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile-related activities under UN sanctions imposed after a second underground nuclear test in May. | North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile-related activities under UN sanctions imposed after a second underground nuclear test in May. |
| South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missiles were fired from one of the North's east coast launch sites on Saturday morning. | South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missiles were fired from one of the North's east coast launch sites on Saturday morning. |
| All landed in the Sea of Japan, known in South Korea as the East Sea. | All landed in the Sea of Japan, known in South Korea as the East Sea. |
| NORTH KOREA 2009 TESTS 4 July - Seven suspected ballistic missiles fired2 July - four short-range cruise missiles launched25 May - second underground nuclear test brings new UN sanctions25/26 May - series of short-range rockets fired5 April - N Korea says long-range rocket was satellite launch North Korea's missile programme What is North Korea's game plan? | NORTH KOREA 2009 TESTS 4 July - Seven suspected ballistic missiles fired2 July - four short-range cruise missiles launched25 May - second underground nuclear test brings new UN sanctions25/26 May - series of short-range rockets fired5 April - N Korea says long-range rocket was satellite launch North Korea's missile programme What is North Korea's game plan? |
| "Our military is fully ready to counter any North Korean threats and provocations," the JCS said in a statement. | "Our military is fully ready to counter any North Korean threats and provocations," the JCS said in a statement. |
| A South Korean defence official said Saturday's tests were of greater concern than four short-range ones on Thursday, as the missiles had longer ranges. | A South Korean defence official said Saturday's tests were of greater concern than four short-range ones on Thursday, as the missiles had longer ranges. |
| "Thursday's missile tests were apparently made as part of a military drill but today's launches, which came on the eve of the US Independence Day, are believed to be aimed at political purposes," the official told Yonhap news agency. | "Thursday's missile tests were apparently made as part of a military drill but today's launches, which came on the eve of the US Independence Day, are believed to be aimed at political purposes," the official told Yonhap news agency. |
| The South Korean government condemned the launches for being in breach of the recent UN security council resolution. | The South Korean government condemned the launches for being in breach of the recent UN security council resolution. |
| A spokesman for the US state department, meanwhile, described North Korea's behaviour as "not helpful" and urged it not to aggravate tensions, AFP news agency reported. | |
| Nuclear warhead fears | Nuclear warhead fears |
| The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says the launches are seen there as part of North Korean efforts to ratchet up the tension. | The BBC's John Sudworth in Seoul says the launches are seen there as part of North Korean efforts to ratchet up the tension. |
| The missiles' estimated 500km reach - although still technically short-range - brings most of South Korea withing striking distance, our correspondent says. | The missiles' estimated 500km reach - although still technically short-range - brings most of South Korea withing striking distance, our correspondent says. |
| Japanese and South Korean media have reported that North Korea may be preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile. | Japanese and South Korean media have reported that North Korea may be preparing to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile. |
| Our correspondent says there are no signs that such a test could be imminent. | Our correspondent says there are no signs that such a test could be imminent. |
| Pyongyang is banned from testing ballistic missiles under UN resolutions but launched a long-range rocket in April, which many governments saw as a thinly disguised test of Taepodong-2 missile technology. | Pyongyang is banned from testing ballistic missiles under UN resolutions but launched a long-range rocket in April, which many governments saw as a thinly disguised test of Taepodong-2 missile technology. |
| There are fears that North Korea is trying to produce nuclear warheads small enough to put on missiles - but experts say this appears to be several years away. | |
| After six-nation talks aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions broke down earlier this year, Pyongyang said it would "weaponise" its plutonium stocks and start enriching uranium. | After six-nation talks aimed at curbing North Korea's nuclear ambitions broke down earlier this year, Pyongyang said it would "weaponise" its plutonium stocks and start enriching uranium. |
| On 12 June the UN Security Council approved a resolution allowing inspection of air, sea and land shipments in and out of North Korea suspected of carrying banned arms and weapons-related material. | On 12 June the UN Security Council approved a resolution allowing inspection of air, sea and land shipments in and out of North Korea suspected of carrying banned arms and weapons-related material. |
| The North has said it will treat any interception of its ships as a declaration of war. | The North has said it will treat any interception of its ships as a declaration of war. |
| Korea analyst Aidan Foster-Carter told the BBC that the international community will have to wait and see what North Korea wants, while reprimanding it and taking what action it can. | |
| He believes that the political situation inside North Korea could be behind its recent behaviour. | |
| There are questions over the health of leader Kim Jong-il, after his apparent stroke last year. | |
| Reports suggest he has named his youngest son as his successor - and some analysts believe the recent bellicosity could be a show of strength aimed at securing domestic support for his plans. |