YONHAP NEWS

(2nd LD) N. Korea fires two Scud missiles: S. Korean official

By Lee Chi-dong
SEOUL, July 4 (Yonhap) -- North Korea test-launched two missiles off its eastern coast Saturday, the eve of U.S. Independence Day, in what South Korean officials viewed as a politically motivated move.

   "North Korea fired two missiles, which appeared to be a Scud type, toward the East Sea from the Gitdaeryong base near Wonsan, Gangwon Province, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. today (Seoul time)," a South Korean government official said, requesting anonymity. "The missiles are estimated to have a range of 400-500km."

   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.

   The official said the missiles which the North fired Saturday -- ground-to-ground ones -- are more dangerous than the four previous ones as they have a relatively long range among short-range missiles, enough to cover the entire South Korean area.

   "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," he added.

   North Korea is believed to have nearly 700 Scud missiles of various types.

   The North has been preparing for the launch of new mid-range missiles and Scud missiles since early last month, according to the South Korean military authorities.

   The authorities, however, said there is no sign of an imminent launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from either its eastern Musudan-ri base or a new Tongchang-ri base on its west.

   In April, North Korea threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile 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 communication satellite into space.

  lcd@yna.co.kr
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