N Korea Fires 7 More Missiles for July 4th

North Korea fired seven missiles off its eastern coast today, South Korea said, in what was seen as a message of defiance to the United States on its Independence Day holiday. The launches, which came 2 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 a UN resolution against Pyongyang.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted military officials as saying the missiles appeared to be a type of Scud missile, banned by the UN resolution. A senior presidential official told the AP that the missiles fired are believed to have a range of less than 300 miles. North Korea had warned shippers to stay away from its east coast effective through July 10. (More North Korea stories.)