U.S. confirms N.K. missile launches, identifies one as Rodong missile

WASHINGTON, July 18 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Strategic Command on Monday confirmed North Korea's launch of three ballistic missiles, saying two of them were short-range Scud missiles and the third was a Rodong intermediate-range missile.

"U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) systems detected and tracked what we assess were three North Korean missile launches," the command said in a statement. "The near back-to-back launch of two presumed Scud tactical ballistic missiles, followed by the presumed launch of a No Dong (Rodong) intermediate-range ballistic missile approximately an hour later, occurred near Hwangju."

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) determined the missile launches from North Korea did not pose a threat to North America, the statement said.

jschang@yna.co.kr
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