North Korea - missile tests

North Korea tests five short-range missiles

Article published on the 2009-10-13 Latest update 2009-10-13 13:50 TU

Protesters in Seoul against North Korea's missile test, 13 October 2009
(Photo: Reuters/Lee Jae-Won)

North Korea launched five short-range missiles off its east coast Monday, which South Korea says breaches a UN ban on ballistic missile tests. There may be more tests planned, as the Japanese Coast Guard says it has been warned of firing excercises through 25 October in the Yellow Sea.

The tests may be part of routine exercises, but they could also be a show of strength as North Korea is under pressure to return to six-nation nuclear disarmament talks that it quit earlier this year.

The KN-02 missiles that were fired have a range between 130-160 kilometres, South Korean Navy Chief of Staff Admiral Jung Ok-Keun told South Korean lawmakers.

The foreign ministry has urged North Korea not to repeat the tests.

Amidst the tension between the North and South, Pyonyang has agreed to a request from Seoul to meet this week to talk about non-nuclear issues, including flood prevention on the cross-border Imjin river, and a family reunion programme that resumed at the end of September.