N Korea tests long-range missile
North Korea has test-fired at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong-2, despite repeated warnings from the international community.
US officials said the Taepodong missile - thought capable of reaching Alaska - failed shortly after take-off, while the others fell into the Sea of Japan.

The US called the tests "provocative" and Japan has threatened sanctions.

The UN Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting later on Wednesday to discuss the developments.

The closed UN session was requested by Japan, which said it was co-ordinating its response to the missile tests with the US and other countries.

Japanese and South Korean military are on high alert in the wake of the tests, and share prices have fallen in both countries.

Strong condemnation

So far there has been no word from Pyongyang itself about the launches, but other nations have been quick to condemn the secretive North Korean regime.

In the US, a state department official called the test-launches a "provocative act".

The North Koreans have again clearly isolated themselves

Tony Snow,
White House press secretary

In quotes: Missile reaction

"The United States strongly condemns these missile launches and North Korea's unwillingness to heed calls for restraint from the international community," said White House spokesman Tony Snow.

The launches "demonstrate North Korea's intent to intimidate other states", he said, adding that Washington would take necessary steps to protect itself and its allies.

President George W Bush has consulted his most senior diplomatic and defence advisers about the launch, and is sending Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill out to the region.

Japan - one of North Korea's harshest critics, and in easy reach of a long-range missile - has also strongly condemned the missile tests.

See the range of North Korea's missiles
"This is a grave problem in terms of peace and stability, not only of Japan but also of international society," said Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe.

Foreign Minister Taro Aso added it was highly possible his country would impose economic sanctions on North Korea. Tokyo has already announced a ban on visits by North Korean ferries.

In South Korea - which has always been anxious to promote reconciliation with its unpredictable northern neighbour - the government called an emergency cabinet meeting soon after the tests took place.

Presidential aide Suh Choo-suk said the launches gave an excuse for an arms race in north-east Asia and damaged security.

South Korea has consistently opposed the imposition of sanctions, but in recent days it warned of cutting food aid to the North should the missile tests go ahead.

Heightened alert

According to US officials, the North fired at least six missiles over a four-hour period, beginning at 0332 Japan Time (1832 GMT).

South Korea has confirmed that five of the missiles were medium-range versions of the old Soviet Scud missile. The sixth was the long-range Taepodong-2.

The medium-range missiles, capable of travelling a few hundred kilometres, all fell safely into the Sea of Japan.

The Taepodong-2 crashed 42 seconds after it was launched, according to US sources.

The US and North Korea's neighbours have been on heightened alert in recent weeks amid suspicions that Pyongyang was preparing to launch the Taepodong-2, which has a range of up to 6,000 km (3,730 miles), putting parts of the US within striking distance.

Getting attention

The BBC's correspondent in Seoul, Charles Scanlon, says the North has been feeling under pressure and ignored in recent months, with the US refusing to negotiate on its demands over its nuclear plans.

Long-running talks over North Korea's nuclear capabilities have stalled, with six-party negotiations on the issue being repeatedly postponed as neither Washington nor Pyongyang are prepared to give ground.

North Korea may see this action as a way to get attention and break the diplomatic log jam, our correspondent adds.

The North agreed with Japan to a moratorium on missile tests in 2002, and this was reaffirmed two years ago.

The last time North Korea tested a long-range missile was in 1998, when it launched a Taepodong-1 over northern Japan.