| North Korea has fired a succession of missiles off it east coast in what is being seen as a gesture of defiance ahead of Independence Day celebrations in the United States. The defence ministry in the South Korean capital, Seoul, says seven missiles have been launched since Saturday morning. A Yonhap news agency report said the rockets were thought to be ballistic Scud missiles, with a range of about 500 km. Pyongyang also fired four short-range missiles off the east coast on Thursday. North Korea has warned shipping to stay away from the area until July 10. Correspondents say the latest missile launches are likely to increase tension in the region, following Pyongyang's nuclear test and its threat to build up its nuclear arsenal in response to United Nations sanctions. Japan and South Korea have condemned the test firings, calling them "provocative". |
