N. Korea Test-fires Another Short-range Missile despite Pleas

North Korea Sunday test-fired a short-range missile off its east coast, its fourth in two days, despite pleas from South Korea and the U.N. chief to halt the launches at a time of high tensions.

The guided missile was fired into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) on Sunday afternoon, a defense ministry spokesman told Agence France Presse without elaborating.

On Saturday the North fired three short-range missiles off its east coast, apparently as part of a military drill.

The North's short-range missile launches are not unusual but come at a time of heightened alert on the peninsula, following Pyongyang's February nuclear test which sparked tougher U.N. sanctions.

Angered by the sanctions and by a joint U.S.-South Korean military exercise, the North for weeks threatened nuclear or conventional attacks on Seoul and Washington.

The South and its U.S. ally had earlier been on heightened alert for any test of medium-range Musudan missiles by the North. But a U.S. defense official said early in May the two mid-range missiles had been moved from their launch site.

South Korea's unification ministry, which handles cross-border relations, said the launches pose threats to the region and should be stopped immediately.

"We find it deplorable that the North does not stop provocative actions such as the launch of guided missiles yesterday," said unification ministry spokesman Kim Hyung-Seok, speaking before the latest exercise.

"We call on the North to take responsible actions for our sake and for the sake of the international community."

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, speaking in Moscow, also called for Pyongyang to "refrain from" further missile tests. He said it was time for it to resume talks with the international community and reduce tensions.

The U.S. State Department urged Pyongyang to exercise restraint, without specifically commenting on the launches.

It was unclear what type of missiles were fired Saturday and Sunday.

Seoul military officials quoted by Yonhap news agency said they may be KN-02 surface-to-surface missiles with a range of up to 160 kilometers (99 miles), or rockets of at least 300mm in caliber fired from a multiple launcher.

Cross-border relations have also been soured by the suspension of operations at a jointly-run industrial complex.

Kaesong Industrial Complex, established just north of the border in 2004 as a rare symbol of inter-Korean cooperation, fell victim to the two months of elevated military tensions.

The North barred South Korean access to the zone and pulled out its own 53,000 workers early last month. Seoul withdrew the last of its nationals early this month.

When the South Koreans left, they loaded up cars with bundles of products, but were still forced to leave much stock behind.

The North last week rejected the South's call for talks on removing goods from the complex, calling it "a crafty ploy" to deflect blame for the suspension of operations.

"It is very regrettable that the North denigrates our offer for talks... and shifts blame for the suspension of the Kaesong complex to us," unification ministry spokesman Kim said Sunday, urging Pyongyang to come forward for talks as soon as possible.