(2nd LD) N. Korea fires multiple short-range ballistic missiles: JCS

North Korea fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles in a northeastern direction on Wednesday, South Korea's military said, further ratcheting up tensions already heightened by its rare disclosure of a uranium enrichment facility last week. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launches at about 6:50 a.m. from the North's Kaechon area in South Phyongan Province, north of Pyongyang, and the missiles flew about 400 kilometers. It did not elaborate on the missiles' point of impact. "We strongly condemn North Korea's missile launches that are clear acts of provocation seriously threatening peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," the JCS said in a text message sent to reporters. The JCS said it will closely monitor various North Korean activities and maintain "overwhelming" capabilities to respond to any North Korean provocations. The North disclosed its uranium-based nuclear facility on Friday, a day after its test-firing of a new 600 mm multiple rocket launcher. The latest bouts of its saber-rattling have added to cross-border tensions caused by the North's launches of trash-filled balloons to the South. The series of Pyongyang's provocative acts came amid lingering concerns that the recalcitrant regime could engage in major provocations to bolster its leverage ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election in the United States. On July 1, the North fired two ballistic missiles in a northeastern direction, including one that flew only 120 km before disappearing off the radar and possibly falling inland, according to the JCS. The North's state media said the next day the country had test-fired the new Hwasong-11Da4.5 missile at its maximum and minimum ranges. It notified of another test-firing the same month at the missile's medium range, but it apparently did not take place. Source: Yonhap News Agency