TOKYO - North Korea fired short-range missiles several times toward the Sea of Japan on Friday, Kyodo News agency reported, citing Japanese and U.S. sources.

Japanese defense and foreign ministry officials said they could not immediately confirm the report.

North Korea's missile development has been a constant concern to the region, along with its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

The hard-line regime test-fired a series of missiles in July last year, including its latest long-range model, known abroad as the Taepodong-2, which experts believe could reach parts of the United States.

The North rattled the world again in October by conducting its first-ever test of a nuclear device. However, experts believe it does not have a bomb design advanced enough to be placed on a missile.

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