North Korea 'fires missile into sea'

North Korea launched a missile that landed in the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, a South Korean Defence Ministry official said today.

The Seoul government was investigating whether yesterday’s launch was a test of a new missile, said the official, who asked to be identified only as Major Chun.

The reported land-to-sea missile launch came on the eve of the inauguration of South Korea’s new president, Roh Moo-hyun.

The United States has warned North Korea against resuming testing of missiles, saying it would raise tensions in the region.

In August 1998, North Korea fired a multistage missile that flew over Japan and landed in the Pacific, proving that Pyongyang is capable of striking any part of Japanese territory.

The following year, North Korea pledged to freeze testing of long-range missiles for the duration of negotiations to improve relations.

In recent months, fears have risen that North Korea may resume missile tests amid an international standoff over Pyongyang’s nuclear activities.

Tensions have been heightened since October, when US officials said North Korea admitted to running a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.