North Korea test launched at least five missiles and maybe 10 on Tuesday, including a long-range intercontinental Taepodong-2 that has roused international controversy.

North Korea

"We do consider it provocative behaviour," U.S. national security adviser Stephen Hadley told reporters at a special briefing Tuesday evening. "You are going to see a lot of diplomatic activity here in the next 24-48 hours."

In South Korea, the Yonhap news agency cited government officials saying 10 missiles were launched.

U.S. President George W. Bush met top advisors Tuesday evening, while South Korea called an emergency cabinet meeting for Wednesday morning, a government official said.

The missiles were fired over four hours, and four short-range models all crashed into the Sea of Japan.

The Taepodong-2, which officials suspect could hit the United States, failed after 35 seconds.

The U.S. has been warning Pyongyang not to test the long-range missile.

The other missiles are believed to be mid-range Rodong missiles. They landed in the sea about 600 kilometres from the Japanese mainland, Japanese public broadcaster NHK said.

Tests said to violate international moratorium

Reports in June said satellite images showed booster rockets being moved to a launching pad, with 10 fuel tanks close by, indicating preparations for a launch of the intercontinental missile.

North Korea has denied it was preparing to launch such a missile, but Washington and Tokyo warned that such tests would be considered provocative and a violation of the 1999 international moratorium on long-range missile tests.

North Korea last fired a missile over northern Japan into the Pacific Ocean in 1998, one year before it agreed to a moratorium on any further tests.

With files from Associated Press