SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - North Korea on Saturday test-fired two more short-range missiles following similar launches earlier this week, according to South Korean military sources quoted by Yonhap news agency.

Earlier in the week, the regime had test-fired four short-range missiles, South Korean military officials said, further fuelling tension sparked by its nuclear standoff with the international community.

The missiles - apparently surface-to-ship ones - were fired on Thursday into the East Sea (Sea of Japan) between 5.20pm (0820 GMT, 4.20pm Singapore time) and 9.20pm, defence ministry officials were quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency.

All were launched from a base at Sinsang-ri, near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, a spokesman was quoted as saying.

According to Yonhap news agency, one of the missiles was a Scud with a range of 500km.

Other officials told the agency on condition of anonymity they landed about 100km off the coast, where the North has imposed a maritime ban until July 11 for what it calls a military drill.