WASHINGTON, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has test fired at least three missiles and possibly a fourth, CNN television reported Tuesday.

    The missiles included a long-range Taepodong 2 missile which appeared failed, the report said.

    The DPRK first fired two Scud-type short-range missiles that landed in the Sea of Japan, the report said, citing a Pentagon official.

    The United States has repeatedly urged the DPRK not to launch such missiles and threatened that such a launch would be "unacceptable."

    An unidentified U.S. State Department official said Tuesday that the DRPK missile launch is "a provocative act", according to CNN.

    In Tokyo, Japan's Kyodo News, citing a Japanese government source, said the DPRK fired the third missile at around 5 a.m. Wednesday local time (2000 GMT, Tuesday).

    Earlier, Japan's public broadcaster NHK reported two missile launches by the DPRK.

    A ballistic Rodong missile was fired by the DPRK at 3:32 a.m. Wednesday local time (1832 GMT, Tuesday). Its warhead dropped into the Sea of Japan six minutes after the launch, NHK said.

    The second missile was launched about 15 minutes later, NHK said. Enditem