North Korea's secretive military regime has fired seven missiles off its eastern coast, in an act seemingly timed to coincide with Independence Day in the United States.
The missiles appear to be a type of Scud ballistic missile, which typically have a range of up to 500 kilometres.
South Korean military officials said Saturday the seven missiles flew more than 400 km. Ballistic missiles are guided during their ascent but then fall freely, as opposed to cruise missiles, which fly straight towards their target.
United Nations resolutions prevent North Korea from firing ballistic missiles, Scuds, and medium-range missiles or long-range missiles.
Just two days ago, the country fired what were believed to be four short-range cruise missiles, which are exempted under the resolutions.
On Saturday, South Korea said it was ready to act against future illegal missile launches.
"Our military is fully ready to counter any North Korean threats and provocations based on strong South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture," the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.
U.S. President Barack Obama is trying to get support from the UN Security Council to crack down on North Korea, for defying the UN resolutions.
During the 2004 U.S. Independence Day, North Korea fired several missiles, including the failed launch of a long-range Taepodong-2.
The latest round of launches had been expected by the West. The chief of U.S. Naval operations, Adm. Gary Rougheadhad, had said he would be carefully monitoring the situation.
"Our ships and forces here are prepared for the tracking of the missiles and observing the activities that are going on," he told reporters, after meeting Japanese military officials in Tokyo earlier in the day.
With files from The Associated Press
