North Korea raises stakes with new missile launch

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea fired seven ballistic missiles on Saturday, South Korea's defense ministry said, in an act of defiance toward the United States that further stoked regional tensions already high due to its nuclear test in May.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missiles test-fired were "Scud-type," marking an escalation of recent saber-rattling by the reclusive North, which has fired several non-ballistic, short-range missile since the May 25 nuclear test.

North Korea is barred by United Nations resolutions from firing ballistic missile such as the Scud. A South Korean Defense Ministry official said more launches could come soon.

It was the biggest barrage of ballistic missiles the North has fired since it launched seven missiles in 2006 around the U.S. July 4 Independence Day holiday, including its longest-range Taepodong-2.

The launches came as the United States has cracked down on firms suspected of helping the North in its trade in arms and missiles, which were subject to U.N. sanctions imposed after the nuclear test and are a vital source of foreign currency for the cash-short state.

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