North Korea fires a trio of missiles in act of defiance

NORTH Korea fired three missiles off its eastern coast today, South Korea said, in what was likely to be seen as a message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day holiday.

The launches, which came two days after North Korea fired four short-range missiles, could further escalate tensions in the region as the US tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the UN resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were fired this morning, but declined to elaborate on the type. Two missiles were fired early today, while a third was fired later in the morning, it said.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted military officials as saying the missiles appeared to be a variety of Scud missile.

A senior presidential official said the missiles fired are believed to have a range of less than 300 miles.

"Our military is fully ready to counter any North Korean threats and provocations based on strong South Korea-US combined defence posture," the Joint Chiefs of Staff statement said.

North Korea's state news agency carried no reports on the launches.