Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched an additional short-range missile from its east coast Tuesday night, South Korea's Yonhap News Agency reported Wednesday.

According to Yonhap, a South Korean official at the presidential office told it that "the North appears to have launched a ground-to-ship missile into the East Sea shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday."

Pyongyang had launched two short-range missiles from its east coast earlier Tuesday, following firing two missiles on Monday after its claimed second nuclear test the same day.

Officials believe the missile launches are partly aimed at preventing South Korean and U.S. reconnaissance planes to verify its claimed nuclear test from nearing.

Earlier reports said there were also signs of imminent missile launches on DPRK's west coast. The official at the presidential office said Pyongyang has yet to launch any missile from the west.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)