North Korea fires 5 missiles, South Korea says

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says North Korea has fired a fifth missile off its eastern coast.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff says three missiles were fired early Saturday, the fourth at about noon and the fifth at 2:50 p.m. (0550 GMT).

The launches come two days after North Korea fired four short-range missiles.

The test firing could further escalate tensions in the region as the U.S. tries to muster support for tough enforcement of a U.N. resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quotes military officials as saying the missiles fired Saturday appear to be a type of Scud. South Korea's military said North Korea's Scuds are considered short-range.