North Korean on Missile Test

The three ballistic missiles flew between 500km (300 miles) and 600km into the sea off its east coast, US and South Korean officials said.

The tests on Tuesday had been personally ordered and monitored by leader Kim Jong-un, the North’s official KCNA news agency said.

They were seen as a reaction to the planned deployment of a US missile defence system in Seoul. The launch of the two Scud missiles and one intermediate-range Rodong or Nodong missile were a violation of existing UN resolutions.

The US, Japan and Seoul have condemned the exercise.

North Korea says its recent ballistic missile launches tested nuclear detonators which could be used in pre-emptive strikes against the South.