DPRK fires 3 short-range projectiles into east waters

SEOUL -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired three short-range projectiles, presumed to be new tactical missiles, just five days after launching a projectile of the similar range, Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday.

The projectiles were fired off between 7 am and 7:40 am local time from the DPRK's eastern Wonsan area into a northeasterly direction, a Joint Chiefs of Staff official was quoted as saying.

The projectiles, believed to be a new type of DPRK tactical missiles given its range and trajectory, were estimated to have flown about 210 km and have landed in the East Sea.

The launch came after Pyongyang fired one new tactical missile on Monday. Five tactical missiles of the new type with a range of 210-220 km were also launched on Aug 14.

The DPRK seemed to recently have test-fired new tactical missiles, or the modified version of the existing tactical missile called KN-02, to improve capability of the missiles, another South Korean military official was quoted as saying.

It was the DPRK's 19th firing of missiles or artillery shells this year. Pyongyang has launched 111 projectiles since Feb 21, including shells from multiple-rocket launchers, Scud and Rodong ballistic missiles and Frog missiles.