North Korea Test Fires Mid Range Missiles

It is the first launch of a Nodong missile since 2009 and marks a step up from the short range rockets Pyonyang has fired in recent weeks

The launches also came on the fourth anniversary of the sinking of a South Korean warship

Washington and Seoul have condemned the launch as "a troubling and provocative escalation"

"We urge North Korea to exercise restraint and refrain from further threatning actions", deputy sopkeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement

The South Korean defence ministry said the missiles were fired from the Suckon region North of Pyongyang and flew about 400 miles (650 km) before falling into the sea off the East  coast of the kkorean peninsula

"This missile is capable of hitting not only most of Russia and China " Ministry spoksman Kim Min seok said , the ministry described  it as "grave provocation"

In recent weeks , North Korea has launched multiple short range missles , actions which have coincided with annual U.S. - South Korea military exercises