SEOUL, April 20 -- North Korea has test-fired multiple short-range ballistic missiles, the government news agency reported today, the latest in a recent flurry of launches by the nuclear-armed state.

The Sunday launches, which were supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, follow other tests in recent weeks of weaponry including ballistic missiles, anti-warship cruise missiles and cluster munitions.

"Five tactical ballistic missiles, launched towards the target area around an island about 136 km away, struck the area of 12.5-13 hectares with the very high density, fully displaying their combat might," the Korean Central News Agency reported.

The test was meant "to evaluate the power of warhead of the improved surface-to-surface tactical ballis...