LOC09:07
06:07 GMT
TOKYO, July 19 (KUNA) -- North Korea fired off three ballistic missiles into the sea Tuesday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said, according to Seoul's Yonhap News Agency.
The three ballistic missiles, Scud or Rodong types, were launched from the southwestern city of Hwangju between 5:45 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. (2045 and 2140 Monday GMT), with two flying some 500 to 600 kilometers, a JCS spokesman said in Seoul.
The trajectory of one missile still needs to be determined, he added. "Given the North's firing of three ballistic missiles comes after the decision (by Seoul and Washington early this month) to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea by late 2017, it can be interpreted as Pyongyang's clear message that it can attack Seongju and any other part of South Korea," the official was quoted as saying.
He also said the firings seem to be in line with Pyongyang's earlier threats made last week when it warned of taking "physical action" against Seoul and Washington if the allies finalize their decision on the site for a THAAD battery in South Korea.
The Ministry of National Defense said it is still in the process of finalizing what kind of missiles were fired and the exact altitude of their flight.
The United States Strategic Command said in a statement released earlier in the day that the North launched two Scud tactical ballistic missiles and then one Rodong medium-range ballistic missile.
It is the latest in a series of missile provocations, including the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile earlier this month. South Korea's military said the range of the missiles launched is enough to reach all of South Korea.
Scuds have a range of 500 to 700 km and are considered to be shorter-range ballistic missiles compared with Rodong missiles, with a range of 1,300-1,500 km. Rodong missiles are capable of striking as far away as Japan. (end)
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