North Korea has test-fired a series of missiles in an apparent act of defiance on 4 July, American Independence Day. Reports say at least seven Scud-type ballistic missiles were fired, with a range of about 500km (312 miles). South Korea and Japan called the latest tests, which follow several others in recent weeks, an "act of provocation".
North Korea is banned from all ballistic missile-related activities under UN sanctions imposed after a second underground nuclear test in May. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the missiles were fired from one of the North's east coast launch sites on Saturday morning.
All landed in the Sea of Japan, known in South Korea as the East Sea.
"Our military is fully ready to counter any North Korean threats and provocations," the JCS said in a statement. A South Korean defence official said Saturday's tests were of greater concern than four short-range ones on Thursday, as the missiles had longer ranges. More on BBC
