The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday test-fired two short-range scud missiles off its eastern coast in Wonsan, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

According to a government official, the DPRK fired missiles, which appeared to be a scud type, around local time 08:00 (23:00 GMT Friday), Yonhap said.

"The missiles are estimated to have the range of about 500 km," the official told Yonhap, requesting anonymity.

The missile firing came two days after the DPRK test-fired four short-ranges off its eastern coast, which South Korean officials described as part of routine military drills.

"Although the missiles fired on Thursday appear to be part of routine military drills, the recent scud missiles seem to have a political purpose as they were fired a day before the U.S. Independence Day," the official said.

The DPRK, since May, has been spotted with actions to prepare for firing a new mid-range missile, as well as scud missiles, Yonhap said.

Source: Xinhua