North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles yesterday, further stoking tension in the region that was already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test and threats to boost its nuclear arsenal in response to UN sanctions.
The North, which often fires short-range missiles as part of military drills and usually times the launches for periods of diplomatic friction, was hit with UN sanctions following its May 25 nuclear test.
The salvo began with two surface-to-ship missiles fired off North Korea's east coast between 5.20 p.m. and 6 p.m. (0820-0900 GMT) that flew about 100 km and splashed into the sea, a South Korean defence official said.
A third short-range missile was fired around two hours later, the Defence Ministry said, and South Korea's Yonhap news agency, citing officials in Seoul, later said a fourth had been fired.
North Korea last month warned shipping to keep away from a maritime zone extending 110 km off its east coast between June 25 and July 10, saying it was conducting a military drill.
"This activity is not unexpected," said US Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman.
"North Korea continues to develop and pursue missile technologies and the United States continues to remain concerned about not only its missile activities but its proliferation activities and its nuclear programme."
A South Korean daily said that the secretive North may also test-fire mid-range missiles, viewed by the South, the US and others as a more serious act, in a matter of days.
Japan, a party to currently-suspended six-nation talks aimed at coaxing the isolated North to give up its nuclear programme in return for aid and greater diplomatic recognition, was quick to condemn Pyongyang's latest action.
"We have often warned that such a provocative act is not beneficial for North Korea's national interest," Kyodo News Agency quoted Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso as telling reporters.
The short-range missile launches came after regional markets had closed for the day, but East Asian investors have grown used to North Korea's sabre-rattling and tend not to be fazed.
Analysts say they would likely panic only if there was military conflict on a peninsula where two million troops face one another across one of the world's most heavily armed borders.
Washington said this week it had tightened its crackdown on firms linked to the North's lucrative proliferation of missiles, a major source of cash for the destitute state, and has sent the US point man for sanctions to Asia for discussions.
Enforcement of the sanctions, aimed at halting its trade in arms, would depend heavily on China, the North's biggest benefactor and trade partner, analysts said.
China said yesterday it was sending its envoy to the six-party talks to South Korea, Japan, Russia and the US. North Korea, the sixth party, was not on the itinerary.
"China has consistently advocated dialogue and consultation, and achieving denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula through the six-party talks process," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a news briefing.