[Kyodo: Korea] North Korea test-fired four short-range missiles off its east coast on Thursday into the Sea of Japan, the South Korean Defense Ministry and military officials said.The missiles appeared to be surface-to-ship missiles, ministry spokesman Won Tae Jae said, according to Yonhap News Agency. ''One was fired at 5:20 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. from Sinsang-ni'' near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, he was quoted as saying. The North fired a third missile and fourth at 7:50 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. from Sinsang-ni.
The first three missiles are estimated to have landed about 100 kilometers off the coast. South Korea is continuing to analyze the launches.
North Korea last launched a short-range missile on May 29. On June 22, North Korea issued a navigation restriction to the Japan Coast Guard for vessels passing through waters off its eastern coast in the Sea of Japan over a self-claimed military exercise. The ban covers an area about 450 km in length and 110 km wide along the coast of Wonsan from June 25 until July 10 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Japan time.
According to a ministry official, the landing points of the missiles launched Thursday are considered to be in that zone.
According to a senior Japanese government official, at least one missile apparently landed in an area of the Sea of Japan that is included in the restricted area.
The U.N. Security Council last month unanimously adopted a resolution to punish North Korea for its second nuclear test in late May, centering on tougher financial sanctions and the stricter enforcement of North Korean cargo inspections.