N. Korea Monday fired two missiles, not three: ministry

(ATTN: CORRECTS missile count in para 3)
By Sam Kim
SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired two short-range missiles on the day
it conducted its second nuclear test, one less than earlier reported, the South
Korean defense ministry said Wednesday.
On Monday, North Korea announced it detonated a nuclear device underground in an
effort to enhance its nuclear arsenal. The country, which performed its first
atomic test in 2006, launched short-range missiles off its east coast hours later
in apparent saber-rattling.
The Ministry of National Defense in Seoul said its intelligence officials had
initially detected one launched at noon and two around 5:00 p.m.
Ministry spokesman Won Tae-jae said in a briefing that the noon launch did not
take place.
"It's now two on Monday and three on Tuesday," Won said. North Korea fired a
total of three short-range missiles on its east coast the day after the nuclear
test. The latest launch took place Tuesday night.
Won declined to say what led to the misinformation, but media reports said a U.S.
reconnaissance unit mistook an experimental operation for an actual firing.
Officials say North Korea has also banned ships from the waters off its west
coast, suggesting the communist state is preparing to launch short-range missiles
there.
In 2006, North Korea had coupled its first nuclear test with the launch of seven
missiles, including a long-range one. The country, which fired its most advanced
rocket April 5 this year in a widely disputed attempt to orbit a satellite, is
believed to have 800 missiles.
samkim@yna.co.kr
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