(4th LD) N. Korea fires four ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. resolutions

(ATTN: UPDATES number of missiles N. Korea fired; ADDS S. Korea's response, other
details; CHANGES headline)
By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea test-launched four ballistic missiles off
its eastern coast Saturday, the latest in a series of provocative acts by the
communist nation locked in a protracted stand-off with the U.S. and other global
powers over its nuclear and missile programs, according to the South Korean
military.
"North Korea fired two missiles toward the East Sea from the Gitdaeryong base
near Wonsan, Gangwon Province, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. today. And it
fired another one into the East Sea from the same site around 10:45 a.m.," an
official at the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. "All the missiles are estimated
to have a range of 400-500km."
He said the North shot one more missile from the same site at around noon, adding
the military is analyzing the exact type of the missiles and North Korea's
intentions.
The authorities said the missiles are apparently ballistic ones, probably a Scud
type, given the trajectory and flight distances.
But they did not rule out the possibility that what the North fired might have
actually been Rodong missiles, a modification of Scud missiles, saying their
flight distances may have been shortened deliberately for the tests. Rodong-type
missiles have an estimated range of 1,000-1,400km and are able to reach many
parts of Japan.
The North is believed to have about 1,000 ballistic missiles alone -- including
nearly 700 Scud missiles of various types and 320 Rodong missiles.
Earlier this week, the North fired a salvo of four KN-01 surface-to-ship
missiles from the Sinsang-ni base, South Hamgyong Province, into the East Sea,
adding to tensions already running high after the North's launch of a long-range
rocket in April and its second nuclear test the following month.
Officials here noted the timing of the latest missile launch, which came on the
eve of U.S. Independence Day.
"The missiles fired on July 2 were analyzed to be part of military drills, but
today's missiles seem to have political purposes in that they were fired a day
ahead of the U.S. Independence Day," a government official said.
North Korea test-fired a long-range Taepodong-2 missile, along with several
short-and mid-range missiles, on U.S. Independence Day in 2006 and detonated
another nuclear bomb this year on May 25 during the U.S. Memorial Day holiday,
acts that North Korea watchers said were intended to draw more attention from
Washington.
South Korea's foreign ministry lashed out at the reclusive neighbor's ballistic
missile launch, calling it a clear violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions
that ban the communist nation from any activity related to a ballistic missile
program.
"It is a provocative act that clearly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions
1695, 1718, and 1874 that bar North Korea's every activity related to ballistic
missiles," the ministry said in a statement.
"The government expresses deep regret over North Korea's continued acts to
escalate tensions in Northeast Asia in ignorance of the U.N. Security Council
resolutions and urges North Korea to faithfully implement the resolutions," it
added.
The authorities said, however, there is no sign of an imminent launch of an
intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from either its eastern Musudan-ri base
or the new Tongchang-ri base on its west coast.
In April, North Korea threatened to test-fire an ICBM in protest of the U.N.
Security Council's condemnation of its long-range rocket launch, which it claimed
to be aimed at sending a communications satellite into space.
Citing satellite photos, U.S. military officials said the North has not mounted
an ICBM on a launch pad or injected fuel yet, a process that takes at least a
week.
A British diplomat in Pyongyang also said the North is unlikely to fire an ICBM
anytime soon.
"We have seen no evidence as yet to state that there will be a launch in the
next couple of days of an ICBM," Peter Hughes, the British ambassador to North
Korea, said in a news conference with reporters in London via video link from
Pyongyang.
He pointed out, however, that "the thing about North Korea is its
unpredictability. You cannot say it will never do something."
Japan also condemned the North's missile launch.
It is "a serious act of provocation against the security of neighboring
countries, including Japan," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said
in a statement.
lcd@yna.co.kr
(END)