MOSCOW, July 4 (RIA Novosti) - North Korea...

"North Korea fired a seventh missile at 17:40 [8:40 GMT]. We believe it was launched from the same launch site as the other ones," a South Korean Defense Ministry official who declined to be identified said.

The official said the missiles are Scud-type and flew up to 500 kilometers (300 miles) to fall in the Sea of Japan.

The foreign ministries of South Korea and Japan resolutely condemned the tests calling the country"s actions "provocational, violating UN Security Council resolutions and aimed at escalating tensions in northeast Asia."

North Korea is reported to have about 600 Scud missiles, including Hwasong-5 with a range of 300 km (190 miles) and Hwasong-6 (500 km) missiles.

The reclusive Communist state also conducted four test launches of short-range missiles on Thursday.

Japanese and South Korean intelligence sources have said the North appears to be preparing to test-launch two intercontinental ballistic missiles, in defiance of the new

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