North Korea fires short-range missiles before rocket launch

North Korea fired two short-range missiles ahead of a rocket launch planned next month that has provoked international condemnation, a news report said Friday, DPA reported.

The tests were carried out Thursday from its west coast, the broadcaster KBS said, citing an unnamed senior military official.

A spokesman for the National Defence Ministry would not confirm the report.

The two KN-01 missiles are surface-to-ship missiles and have a range of 120 kilometres, the official was quoted as saying.

The official said the tests might be a reaction by North Korea to the recent deployment of more warships by South Korea and the United States in the Yellow Sea.

The report was released after North Korea said it planned to launch a telecommunications satellite between April 12 and 14 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of its founder, Kim Il Sung.

Other countries, including South Korea and the US, have expressed concern that the launch could be cover for a test of a long-range missile with potential nuclear weapon applications.

North Korea insisted that the launch was for peaceful purposes.

It frequently test-fires short-range missiles. It fired three surface-to-surface missiles in January and two short-range missiles in December, a day after leader Kim Jong Il's death was announced.