NORTH KOREA -
North Korea has test-fired four short-range missiles off its east coast, according to South Korean sources.
Two ground-to-ship missiles were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan on Thursday afternoon, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity citing department policy.
The North also fired a third missile later from the east coast, but the exact site and the type of a rocket was not immediately known, the official said. Another ministry official - also speaking on condition of anonymity citing department policy - said the North later fired a fourth missile, though she provided no details.
The UN has tightened sanctions against North Korea after it launched several missiles and carried out an underground nuclear test in May.
North Korea had earlier issued a no-sail zone in waters off its east coast through July 10 for military drills.
That designation has been viewed as a prelude to such missile tests.
The North has also threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Last month, a Japanese newspaper reported that the North could test-fire a long-range missile toward Hawaii as early as around July 4.
In response, the U.S. has increased defenses around Hawaii.
Two ground-to-ship missiles were fired from the eastern coastal city of Wonsan on Thursday afternoon, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity citing department policy.
The North also fired a third missile later from the east coast, but the exact site and the type of a rocket was not immediately known, the official said. Another ministry official - also speaking on condition of anonymity citing department policy - said the North later fired a fourth missile, though she provided no details.
The UN has tightened sanctions against North Korea after it launched several missiles and carried out an underground nuclear test in May.
North Korea had earlier issued a no-sail zone in waters off its east coast through July 10 for military drills.
That designation has been viewed as a prelude to such missile tests.
The North has also threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile.
Last month, a Japanese newspaper reported that the North could test-fire a long-range missile toward Hawaii as early as around July 4.
In response, the U.S. has increased defenses around Hawaii.
