DPRK test-fires 5 short-range missiles: Yonhap

SEOUL, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has test-fired a total of five short-range ground-to-ground missiles off its east coast on Monday, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported, citing government sources.

The five KN-02 type missiles, two of them launched on Monday morning and the rest in the afternoon, were fired from missile bases located between south of Musudanri, North Hamgyeong Province, and north of Wonsan, Gangwon Province, the sources said.

File photo taken on Jan. 5, 2009 shows the Democratic People's Republic of  Korea test-fires missiles. DPRK has test-fired a total of five short-range  missiles off its east coast Oct.12, 2009 South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.(Xinhua/AFP file photo)

The DPRK has issued a navigation ban in waters off its east and west coasts from Oct. 10 to 20, the sources added.

A military expert said the missiles fired on Monday appear to be part of routine military drills, but it is also likely to be a sort of "demonstration of its military muscle" to draw international attention.

There is a possibility that the DPRK conducted the test-firing of the KN-02 missiles after it improved their performance, the expert said.

The KN-02 missiles, an upgraded version of the Russian SS-21 and with a range of between 100 to 120 km, were firstly displayed on April 25, 2007 at a military parade in Pyongyang to mark the 75th anniversary of the DPRK's Korean People's Army.

According to South Korean media, the DPRK has tested the KN-02 missiles for 12 times.