North Korea fires missiles into Sea of Japan

Originally published on March 17, 2014North Korea fired 25 short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan on Sunday, March 16. The launch took place at 6:20 p.m. from the east coast of the Korean peninsula with the missiles fired toward the Sea of Japan, AFP reported. The missiles flew for 70km (45 miles) before falling into the sea. Eight more missiles were launched at 8:03 pm. Another seven followed, the last at 9:30 pm.According to Reuters, U.N. sanctions do not bar North Korea from launching short-range missile.Although such missiles tests, different from long-range rockets or nuclear tests, are considered routine, the U.S. State Department said it was closely monitoring the situation after the launches.South Korea has called the North's launches a "reckless provocation" and has increased vigilance following a series of rocket or missile launches in late February.