(7th LD) N. Korea fires seven ballistic missiles in violation of U.N. resolutions

(ATTN: UPDATES number of missiles N. Korea fired throughout; RECASTS lead)
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea test-launched seven ballistic missiles off
its eastern coast on Saturday, South Korea said, in the latest provocation by the
communist nation locked in a protracted stand-off with the U.S. and other global
powers over its nuclear and missile programs.
The firing of the seventh missile that appears to be a scud type took place on
the east coast at around 5:40 p.m., the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seoul said.
"It appears to be similar to the previous six missiles fired into the East Sea
earlier in the day," a JCS official said, speaking on customary condition of
anonymity.
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., according to the JCS.
It fired another one into the East Sea around 10:45 a.m., and three more at
around noon, at 2:50 p.m. and at 4:10 p.m., respectively.
"All the missiles are estimated to have a range of 400-500km," another JCS
official said, declining to be named and adding the military is analyzing the
exact missile models.
Soth Korean officials did not rule out the possibility that what the North fired
might have actually been Rodong missiles -- modifications of Scuds -- saying
their flight distances may have been shortened deliberately.
Rodong-type missiles have an estimated range of 1,000-1,500km and are able to
reach many parts of Japan.
The North is believed to have up to 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.
(END)