World

North Korea Fires 2 Scud Missiles Raising Level of Global Concern

by Tina Kells | July 3, 2009 at 06:41 pm

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In the early hours of July 4, 2009 North Korea fired two short-range Scud missiles off its eastern coast raising the level of global concern over the government's motives. The Scud missile firing came just days after the testing of four other missiles caused international outrage.

South Korea is especially concerned with the escalation in North Korea's missile testing, fearing that an attack may be imminent. The continued testing of missiles by North Korea has been characterized as an aggressive act by many nations.

South Korea fears that the testing of the Scud missiles was a covert threat directed at them designed to provoke a reaction from South Korean President Lee Myung Bak.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted a South Korean government official as saying the North had fired two short-range missiles early on Saturday.

Al Jazeera's Steven Chao, reporting from the South Korean capital, Seoul, said South Korea's defence ministry has confirmed the missile launches.

"Government sources say it is believed these were short-range Scud missiles. [They were] fired off the east coast of North Korea, near the city of Wonsan," he said.

There are emerging reports from Twitter that a third missile may also have been fired, these have not yet been confirmed by mainstream media.