N KOREA MISSILE AIM 'IMPROVING'

The communist country launched seven ballistic missiles into waters off its east coast on Saturday, in a show of military firepower that defied UN resolutions and drew international condemnation and concern.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency - citing a South Korean government source - reported that five of the seven ballistic missiles landed in the same area, indicating their accuracy has improved.

North Korea also fired four short-range missiles on Thursday, believed to be cruise missiles.

Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said North Korea's capabilities were getting better.

Mr Smith said: "If you look at their most recent efforts, the most worrying thing is not their current capacity in terms of distance or scope but how they have improved."

"We have seen improvements regrettably in their technology and their approach," he added emphasising the latest missile tests were clearly a provocative act aimed at the US.

Saturday's launches on US Independence Day appeared to be a slap at Washington as it moves to enforce UN as well as its own sanctions against the isolated regime for its May 25 nuclear test.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the defence ministry was investigating the launches and it would take about a week to complete an analysis.

He also said no signs of additional missile launches had been detected, but more were possible given North Korea warned ships to stay away from the area through July 10.