SEOUL, July 4 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired three short-range missiles off its eastern coast in the morning of Saturday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

    According to a government official, the DPRK fired one additional short range missile from its eastern coast base in Wonsan at around 10:45 a.m. (0145 GMT), following two scud-type missiles fired from the same base between 08:00-08:30 a.m. (2300-2330 GMT Friday), Yonhap said.

    All the three missiles are estimated to have a range of 400-500km, the official said.

    The missile firing came two days after the DPRK test-fired four short-ranges off its eastern coast, which South Korean officials described as part of routine military drills.

    "Although the missiles fired on Thursday appear to be part of routine military drills, the recent scud missiles seem to have political purposes as they were fired a day before the U.S. Independence Day," the official said.

    The DPRK, since May, has been spotted with actions in preparation for firing a new mid-range missile, as well as scud missiles, Yonhap said.

    The military authorities, however, said no sign has been observed from either its eastern Musudan-ri base or a new Tongchang-ri base on its west to conclude that an intercontinental ballistic missile launch is imminent.

    In April, the DPRK threatened to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile in protest of the U.N. Security Council's presidential statement which "condemned" the DPRK's earlier long-range rocket launch.

Japan calls Pyongyang's missile launch "provocation"

    TOKYO, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Japan condemned Pyongyang's latest missile launch, calling it a serious act of provocation, the top government spokesman said Saturday.

    "It is a serious act of provocation against the security of neighboring countries, including Japan, and is against the resolution of the U.N. Security Council," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said in a statement. Full story

South Korea eases humanitarian aid ban against DPRK

    SEOUL, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Humanitarian aid from South Korea was permitted to be sent to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday, said a South Korean government official on Friday. Full story

DPRK's missile launches "not helpful," says U.S.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ian Kelly speaks during a news conference at the State Department in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, July 2, 2009. The United States said on Thursday that the missile test-fires by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are "not helpful" and are "dangerous." (Xinhua/Zhang Yan) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The United States said on Thursday that the missile test-fires by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) are "not helpful" and are "dangerous."

    "North Korea knows exactly what it has to do ... They need to cut out these kinds of provocative actions and return to denuclearization talks," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told a routine news briefing. Full story

U.S. keeps door open for DPRK's return to disarmament talks: Obama 

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a news conference in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington June 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WASHINGTON, July 2 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said on Thursday that his administration is trying to "keep a door open" for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s return to the six-party talks which was designed to make the settlement of nuclear issues on the Korean peninsula.

    In his exclusive interview with The Associated Press, Obama insisted that the DPRK give up its nuclear weapon programs. Full story

Yonhap: DPRK fires fourth short-range missile off east coast

    SEOUL, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired four short-range missiles off its east coast on Thursday, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported.

    DPRK fired the first missile at 05:20 p.m. (0820 GMT) and the other three at 06:00 p.m., 07:50 p.m. and 09:20 p.m. respectively from Sinsang-ni between the eastern coastal city of Hamhung and Wonsan, the report quoted a South Korean official as saying.   Full story

Japanese PM condemns Pyongyang's latest missile test-firings

    TOKYO, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said on Thursday the latest test-firings of missiles by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) as a "provocative act."

    "We have often warned that such a provocative act is not beneficial for North Korea's national interest," Aso was quoted by Kyodo News as saying, adding it is difficult to understand what kind of message Pyongyang wants to send with its latest missile launches. Full story

U.S. beefs up sanctions against DPRK

    WASHINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions against two companies that were allegedly involved in nuclear weapon and missiles-making activities by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    The United States will freeze any assets held by Namchongang Trading Corp. of the DPRK, and bar it from any dealings with American companies or individuals, the State Department said in a statement. Full story

DPRK's nuclear weapons not to threaten others: newspaper

    PYONGYANG, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The nuclear weapons of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) were "neither threatening other countries, nor be used for preemptive attacks," said a commentary carried by the Rodong Sinmun daily on Sunday.

    The DPRK's nuclear deterrent is, to all intents and purposes, of self-defensive nature and has an aim and mission to champion peace, the commentary said. Full story