North Korea test-fires missiles

North Korea has test-fired a barrage of short-range missiles in what appears to be a response to the new South Korean government’s tougher stance on Pyongyang.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North’s “short-range guided missile” firing was believed to be aimed at testing and improving the missile’s performance. It did not give specifics such as how many missiles were fired.

But South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea launched three ship-to-ship missiles at around 10.30am (1.30am Irish time) today, citing unidentified government officials.