SEOUL, South Korea (July 4, 2009)--South Korea says North Korea has fired a seventh missile off its eastern coast.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff said six missiles were fired earlier Saturday and the seventh around 3:40 a.m. CDT.

The launches came two days after North Korea fired four short-range missiles.

The test firing could further escalate tensions in the region as the U.S. tries to muster support for tough enforcement of a U.N. resolution imposed on the communist regime for its May nuclear test.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted military officials as saying the missiles fired Saturday appear to be Scuds.

South Korea's military said North Korea's Scuds are considered short-range.