Launches by the North of short-range missiles are not uncommon but, after recent warnings from the communist state of impending nuclear war, such actions have raised concerns about the region’s security.
“North Korea fired a short-range missile as it did yesterday into its east sea in the afternoon, “ South Korea’s news agency Yonhap reported, citing a military official.
A South Korean defence ministry official confirmed the Yonhap report, but did not provide any details.
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon said he was concerned about North Korea’s launch of short-range missiles, urging Pyonyang to refrain from further launches and return to stalled nuclear talks with world powers.
Mr Ban, who spoke to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti during a visit to Moscow, called yesterday’s launch a “provocative action”.
