UPDATE: 07/05/06 SOK INTEL SOURCES INDICATING UP TO 10 MISSILES LAUNCHED.

THE EVER CHANGING MISSILE COUNT

TOKYO – North Korea test-launched a missile Wednesday that landed in the Sea of Japan, Japanese media reported.

The reclusive communist state launched the missile at 3:32 a.m., or 2:32 p.m. Tuesday EDT, and it crashed into the Sea of Japan several minutes later, public broadcaster NHK reported.

NHK said Japanese government officials were trying to determine whether it was a long-range ballistic missile that had been readied for launch recently. North Korea had been thought to be preparing a test-launch of its Taepodong 2 missile, which is believed to be able to reach parts of the United States.

Officials were not immediately available to confirm the report.