North Korea defies U.S. with new missile launches

By Jon Herskovitz

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles on Saturday, South Korea's defense ministry said, in an act of defiance toward the United States on its Independence Day that further stoked regional tensions.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missiles were "Scud-type," marking an escalation of recent saber-rattling by the reclusive North, which has fired several non-ballistic, short-range missile since the May 25 nuclear test.

North Korea is barred by United Nations resolutions from firing ballistic missile such as the Scud. A South Korean Defense Ministry official said more launches could come soon.

It was the biggest barrage of ballistic missiles the North has fired since it launched seven, including its longest-range Taepodong-2, in 2006 near the July 4 holiday.

The launches came as the United States has cracked down on firms suspected of helping the North in its trade in arms and missiles, which were subject to U.N. sanctions imposed after the nuclear test and are a vital source of foreign currency for the cash-short state.

An anonymous South Korean official quoted by Yonhap said the launch may have been intended to send a message to Washington, the North's main foe who for years has been trying to press Pyongyang to end its atomic ambitions and rein in missiles that threaten U.S. allies South Korea and Japan.

In Washington, a State Department spokesman urged North Korea to avoid further stoking tensions.

"We are aware of possible missile launches by North Korea and are closely monitoring North Korea's activities and intentions," said U.S. State Department spokesman Karl Duckworth. "North Korea should refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearization talks."

"This type of North Korean behavior is not helpful. What North Korea needs to do is to fulfill its international obligations and commitments," he added.

CALLS FOR CALM

Russia and China called for calm, saying all sides should refrain from any steps that could further destabilize the region, Moscow's Foreign Ministry said.

Moscow and Beijing called for a return to suspended six-party talks involving China, South Korea, North Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States aimed at coaxing North Korea to give up its nuclear program.

"There is still no alternative to the six-party talks, which remain the most effective instrument for resolving the nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula, and we call on them to be renewed as soon as possible," the statement said.

Britain and France condemned the missile tests and said they were a breach of U.N. resolutions.

"These latest provocations will only serve to strengthen our resolve as we work with international partners to implement the robust measures in the UN Security Council Resolution passed unanimously last month," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said. The goal was to see North Korea return to the negotiations, he added.