Seoul: North Korea on Friday test-fired a series of short-range missiles over the Yellow Sea, South Korean media reported, citing government officials in Seoul.

The tests were believed to be of Russian Styx missiles, South Korea's Yonhap News agency and KBS broadcaster reported. They have a range of 45 km.

The number of missiles fired was not immediately known.

Ahead of the tests, North Korea banned civilian shipping off part of its west coast, the unnamed officials said.

The tests came a day after North Korea expelled 11 South Korean government officials from the inter-Korean industrial zone at Kaesong and as South Korean and US officials indicated patience was running out over stalled nuclear talks with Pyongyang.

Source : IANS