N Korea fires missiles towards Sea of Japan

North Korea fired several short-range missiles towards the Sea of Japan early today, Kyodo News agency reported, citing Japanese and US sources.

Japanese Defence and Foreign Ministry officials said they could not immediately confirm the report.

Japan’s NTV network reported that the missiles were surface-to-ship.

Last month, North Korea displayed a newly developed ballistic missile capable of reaching the US territory of Guam during a massive military parade.

The parade in Pyongyang featured three new models, including the medium-range missile that can travel 1,500-2,500 miles, the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo reported.

North Korea’s missile development has been a constant concern to the region, along with its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

The hard-line regime test-fired a series of missiles in July last year, including its latest long-range model, known abroad as the Taepodong-2, which experts believe could reach parts of the United States.

The North rattled the world again in October by conducting its first-ever test of a nuclear device. However, experts believe it does not have a bomb design advanced enough to be placed on a missile.