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North Korea test-fires 'ballistic' missiles North Korea test-fires mid-range missiles
(about 1 hour later)
North Korea has test-fired what appeared to be two medium-range ballistic missiles, just hours after the US, South Korea and Japan met in the Netherlands to discuss the country. North Korea has test-fired two medium-range ballistic missiles, just hours after the US, South Korea and Japan met in the Netherlands for talks.
Analysts say the launch, if confirmed, would be a major escalation from the short-range rockets Pyongyang has fired in recent weeks. It is the first launch of a Nodong missile since 2009 and marks an escalation from the short-range rockets Pyongyang has fired in recent weeks.
North Korea has been angered by annual US-South Korea military exercises. The launches also came on the fourth anniversary of the sinking of a South Korean warship.
Washington and Seoul quickly condemned the North's actions. Washington and Seoul have condemned the launch, which violates UN resolutions.
Ballistic missile launches by Pyongyang are banned by the United Nations. The US State Department described the launch as "a troubling and provocative escalation".
The South Korean defence ministry said the Nodong-class missiles were fired from the Suckon region north of Pyongyang and flew for about 650km (400 miles) before falling into the sea off the east coast. "We urge North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from further threatening actions," deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement.
'Grave provocation'
The South Korean defence ministry said the missiles were fired from the Suckon region north of Pyongyang and flew for about 650km (400 miles) before falling into the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula.
"This missile is capable of hitting not only most of Japan but also Russia and China," ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said.
The ministry described it as a "grave provocation".The ministry described it as a "grave provocation".
A spokesman said it was the North's first launch of a Nodong missile since 2009. In recent weeks, North Korea has launched multiple short-range missiles - actions which have coincided with annual US-South Korea military exercises.
The missiles have a range of more than 1,000km and could reach parts of Japan. But this is the first launch of a Nodong missile - which has a range of about 1,000km - since 2009. A similar launch also took place in 2006.
Correspondents say the North's arsenal of about 300 Nodong missiles could in theory be fitted with nuclear warheads, although Pyongyang currently lacks the expertise to miniaturise such weapons. Ballistic missile launches by Pyongyang are banned by the United Nations.
The US State Department also said Wednesday's launches represented a "troubling and provocative escalation". Correspondents say the North's arsenal of Nodong missiles could in theory be fitted with nuclear warheads, but it is currently thought that Pyongyang lacks the expertise to miniaturise such weapons.
It said North Korea apparently didn't issue any maritime notification warning. North Korea has conducted three nuclear tests, the most recent in February 2013.
"We are closely co-ordinating with our allies and partners, including in the UN Security Council, to take the appropriate measures in response to this latest provocation and to address the threat to global security posed by the DPRK's [North Korea's] nuclear and ballistic missile programmes," a statement said. The US State Department said North Korea did not issue any maritime notification warning of its latest test.
"We urge North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from further threatening actions." "We are closely co-ordinating with our allies and partners, including in the UN Security Council, to take the appropriate measures in response to this latest provocation and to address the threat to global security posed by the DPRK's [North Korea's] nuclear and ballistic missile programmes," the statement said.
Earlier, US President Barack Obama met his South Korean counterpart, Park Geun-hye, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the nuclear summit in The Hague. The launches took place in the early hours of Wednesday, which marks four years since South Korea's Cheonan warship sank with the loss of 46 lives near the disputed inter-Korean western maritime border.
Mr Obama pledged his "unwavering commitment" to them in the face of North Korea's nuclear programme. South Korea says North Korea torpedoed the ship. North Korea denies any role in the incident.
North Korea has fired dozens of short-range rockets over the past month. They also came just hours after US President Barack Obama met his South Korean counterpart, Park Geun-hye, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the nuclear summit in The Hague for talks that focused on North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
Mr Obama pledged his "unwavering commitment" to Tokyo and Seoul in the face of North Korea's nuclear programme.
Pyongyang says its rocket tests are self-defence exercises and says the military drills by Washington and Seoul are invasion preparations.Pyongyang says its rocket tests are self-defence exercises and says the military drills by Washington and Seoul are invasion preparations.