The New Nation - Internet Edition

AP, Seoul

North Korea test-fired a barrage of short-range missiles Friday, the communist nation's latest apparent angry response to the new South Korean government's tougher stance on Pyongyang. The launches came as the North issued a stern rebuke to Washington over an impasse at nuclear disarmament talks, warning that the Americans' attitude could "gravely" affect the continuing disablement of Pyongyang's atomic facilities. The missile tests were part of routine training, South Korean presidential spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said, declining to give further details on the type of rockets fired. He told reporters Seoul was "closely monitoring the situation." "I believe North Korea would also not want a strain in inter-Korean relations," Lee said. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that North Korea launched three ship-to-ship missiles at around 10:30 a.m. (9:30 p.m. EST Thursday), citing unidentified government officials.