Russian radar overlooks new NKorea missile launches

Russian air defense radar systems deployed in the Far East failed to detect ballistic missiles test-fired by North Korea early July 4, Interfax news agency reports.

The missiles could have sharply deviated to the south, thus preventing Russian radars from spotting them, a Russian military official cited by the news agency assumed.

Two short range ballistic missiles were allegedly launched from a military base on the east coast of the country, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reports, citing sources from the South Korean Defense Ministry. Another missile of the same type was launched shortly afterwards, Agence France Press reports, citing South Korean media sources.

Yonhap news agency quoted military officials as saying the missiles appeared to be a type of Scud missile. North Korea's Scuds are considered short-range, South Korea's military said.

North Korea is not allowed to fire Scuds, medium-range missiles or long-range missiles under a resolution banning any launch using ballistic missile technology.

The launches, which came two days after North Korea fired four short-range missiles, could further escalate tensions in the region as the US tries to muster support for tough enforcement of the UN resolution imposed on the communist regime after its May nuclear test.

Chief of US naval operations Adm. Gary Roughead said the American military was ready for any North Korean missile tests.

"Our ships and forces here are prepared to track missiles and observe the activities going on," Roughead said after meeting Japanese military officials in Tokyo on Saturday.

Speculation had been high that the communist country might launch more missiles. North Korea had warned ships to stay away from its east coast through July 10.