North Korea fires missile into East Sea

By Jin Dae-woong

North Korea yesterday fired a short-range missile into the waters off its eastern coast, in a third test-firing in less than a month, Seoul officials said.

"North Korea fired an unknown type of missile with a range of 100 kilometers into the East Sea in the afternoon," a Defense Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.

The official played down the launch saying that it appears to be part of routine exercises. Security authorities are trying to gather more information, he added.

The missile test came amid growing progress in the dispute over Pyongyang's nuclear programs.

The missile was fired after 3:00 p.m., according to a report by Japanese broadcaster NHK yesterday.

The Seoul official assumed that it is similar to a short-range missile fired on May 25, and was launched from the same missile base in Dancheon along the eastern coast.

On June 7, the North also launched two 100-kilometer range ground-to-ship or ship-to-ship missiles into the West Sea.

Seoul officials said the two launches were carried out as part of annual military drills.