It quoted South Korean experts as saying that based on a thorough analysis of a variety of data they had come to the conclusion that North Korea did not launch a short-range missile June 19.
June 19, Japan's NHK TV reported that North Korea had launched a short-range missile towards the Sea of Japan for the third time in 45 days.
It said the launch took place at 3:00 p.m. local time (6 a.m. GMT) which the Yonhap agency confirmed, adding that the missile was not ballistic.
North Korea test fired a missile on May 25, and another on June 7. In May 2005, the country launched short-range missiles from its eastern coast, and in July 2006 a total of seven missiles, including the Taepodong-2, which has a range of up to 6,000 km (3,700 miles).
A new medium-range missile was demonstrated at a Pyongyang military parade in April, similar to the modernized Soviet SSN-6 Sawfly. Experts put its possible range at 4,000 km (2,500 miles), making it capable of reaching Japan. One North Korean missile flew over Japan into the Pacific Ocean in 1998.
Pyongyang's weapons tests have raised international tensions over the country's nuclear program. The reclusive state is being pushed to meet its February commitments on disarmament, in particular shutting down its nuclear reactor in return for aid.
