DHAKA: North Korea has test-fired two ballistic missiles, the latest in a series of rocket launches.

US officials said the medium-range missiles, launched off the east coast, flew about 800km before falling into the water, reports the BBC.

Afterwards, the US called for Pyongyang to refrain from raising tensions.

It comes a day after US President Barack Obama imposed new sanctions, following North Korea's ‘illicit’ nuclear test and satellite launch.

His executive order freezes North Korean government property in the United States. It bans US exports to - or investment in - North Korea and also greatly expands powers to blacklist anyone, including non-Americans, dealing with North Korea.

The 6 January nuclear test and 7 February satellite launch were violations of existing UN sanctions, as are ballistic missile tests.

US defense officials said two launches had been tracked of what appeared to be Rodong missiles fired from road-mobile launch vehicles.

With a maximum range of 1,300km, the Rodong would have the capability to reach all of South Korea and parts of Japan. North Korea’s last Rodong test was in March 2014.

BDST: 1434 HRS, MAR 18, 2016
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