North Korea test-fired 2 short-range missiles, Seoul says

Pyongyang threatening nuclear strikes on Washington, Seoul after ongoing US-South Korea drills and UN sanctions over its third nuclear test

16 March 2013, 11:28 am

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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un uses binoculars to view South Korean territory from an observation post on Jangjae Islet, in March 2013. (photo credit: AP/KCNA via KNS)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea test-fired a pair of short-range missiles into its eastern waters this past week in a likely response to ongoing routine US-South Korean military drills, a South Korean official said Saturday.

The North launched what appeared to be KN-02 missiles during its own drills, the military official said. He would not say on which day the missiles were fired or give other details, and declined to be named, citing policy.

North Korea routinely launches short-range missiles in an effort to improve its arsenal, but the latest test comes at a time of rising tensions. Pyongyang has threatened nuclear strikes on Seoul and Washington because of the US-South Korean drills and recent UN sanctions over its third nuclear test.

Analysts say Pyongyang’s threats are partly an attempt to push Washington to agree to disarmament-for-aid talks.