North Korea fires three ballistic missiles: South Korea

The missiles, launched from the western city of Hwangju, flew between 500 and 600 kilometres toward the Sea of Japan

North Korea has fired three ballistic missiles, South Korea's military said, just over a week after issuing threats to respond to the planned deployment of a US anti-missile system in the South.

The missiles, launched early today from the western city of Hwangju, flew between 500 and 600 kilometres (311-373 miles) toward the Sea of Japan, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC) said in a press statement.

The range of what were believed to be SCUD missiles is enough to reach all of South Korea, the JCS reported.

South Korea's military is keeping close tabs on the North's movement, it added.

Tensions have soared since Pyongyang carried out its fourth nuclear test in January, followed by a series of missile launches that analysts said show the North is making progress toward being able to strike the US mainland.

North Korea last week threatened to take an unspecified "physical action" after Washington and Seoul announced they would deploy a sophisticated US anti-missile defence system to counter the growing menace from Pyongyang.

Seoul and Washington earlier this month revealed their decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, in the South following recent North Korean missile and nuclear tests.