South 'regrets' missile launch

Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama today voiced regret over the latest missile launches by North Korea, the isolated communist regime with which it has long had tense relations.

Pyongyang test-fired five short-range missiles off its east coast Monday, South Korean officials said.

"I've heard of the reports. If it is true, I think it's very regrettable," Hatoyama told reporters in front of his house early today without making further comments.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirofumi Hirano said at a regular press conference that the Japanese government was collecting information on the reported missile launches.

A South Korean media report said North Korea may conduct more missile tests today, this time from its west coast.

The launches were North Korea's first reported since early July and come amid international efforts to bring the hard-line communist state back to six-nation nuclear disarmament talks.