(LEAD) N Korea fires short-range ballistic missile into East Sea

SEOUL, July 26 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired a short-range missile into the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said, the latest in a series of missile and rocket firings by the communist nation in recent months.

The North "fired a short-range missile presumed to be a Scud-type one into the East Sea in northeastersn direction from Jangsan Cape on the western coastal region at 9:40 p.m.," the JCS said in a statement.

Its range is estimated at 500 kilometers, it said, adding Pyongyang did not impose a no-fly, no-sail zone ahead of the launch.

"We are analyzing the motive of its missile launch, and we have maintained high-level readiness against its possible additional firing," the JCS said.

Saturday's firing is the 15th time that the North has launched rockets this year, and sixth ballistic missile launch in 2014.

graceoh@yna.co.kr
(END)