(2nd LEAD) N. Korea fires off 3 ballistic missiles: JCS

(ATTN: ADDS launching and arrival site in 3rd para, background in last para)

SEOUL, July 19 (Yonhap) -- North Korea fired off three ballistic missiles Tuesday morning following South Korea's recent decision to deploy an advanced U.S. anti-missile system in the country, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The latest launch is thought to be part of Pyongyang's response to the July 8 decision by Seoul and Washington to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system here by the end of 2017 to deal with the ever-growing nuclear and missile threats from the North.

It is the latest in a recent series of missile provocations, including the firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile earlier this month.

The missiles, presumed to be Scud-types, were launched from Hwangju, North Hwanghae Province, and flew some 500 to 600 kilometers into the East Sea, the military said. It said the missiles were launched between 5:45 a.m. and 6:40 a.m.

The range is enough to reach all of South Korea, including the far southern port city of Busan, the JCS said, adding that South Korea's military is keeping close tabs on the North and fully prepared for additional missile launches.

A Scud has a range of 500 to 700 km and is a considered a shorter-range ballistic missile.

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kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
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