Latest launch comes after South Korea and the US announced the deployment of an advanced missile-defence system.
July 19, 2016: North Korea has launched three ballistic missiles in Pyongyang’s latest defiance of United Nations resolutions against the use of such military technology.
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said Tuesday the short-range ballistic missiles were fired from northern North Korea and flew about 600km before crashing into the sea east of the Korean peninsula. The missiles are believed to be modified from outdated Soviet SCUD missile systems.
Pyongyang has fired several missiles in recent months. The last launch was July 9 when a North Korea ballistic missile exploded shortly after being fired from a submarine.
South Korea and the United States said earlier this month they would deploy an advanced missile defence system in South Korea, drawing a sharp and swift protest from neighbouring China, Pyongyang’s sole major ally.
Pyongyang also conducted a test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in April, calling it a “great success” that provided “one more means for powerful nuclear attack”.
The UN Security Council has imposed harsh new sanctions on the country in response.
