S. Korea says North’s missiles getting better

SEOUL, South Korea – The ballistic missiles that North Korea test-fired this weekend were likely capable of striking key government and military facilities in South Korea, a defense official said Sunday, amid growing concerns over Pyongyang’s firepower.

Pyongyang launched seven missiles into waters off its east coast Saturday in a show of force that defied U.N. resolutions and drew international condemnation.

The missiles appear to have traveled about 250 miles, meaning they could have reached almost any point in South Korea, an official at the South Korean Defense Ministry said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

The North’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary that “our revolutionary forces have grown up today as the strong army that can impose merciless punishment against those who offend us,” crediting the country’s “military first” policy.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency – citing a government source it did not identify – reported that five of the seven ballistic missiles landed in one area, indicating their accuracy has improved.