U.S., China, Russia low-key on N. Korea

SEOUL, July 5 (UPI) -- The United States, Russia and China took a low-key approach Saturday to North Korea's July 4 launch of seven missiles.

A spokesman for the U.S. State Department said the testing, apparently done on the U.S. national holiday to add to the provocation, was "not helpful," the BBC reported. The spokesman suggested North Korea should "refrain from actions that aggravate tensions and focus on denuclearization talks."

The test apparently involved seven missiles with a range of no more than about 300 miles. The rockets landed in the Sea of Japan.

Some South Korean officials told Yonhap news agency the missiles might have been medium-range ones, with the launch distance shortened in an effort to be deceptive.

Russia and China urged North Korea to return to talks. The Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement asking all nations involved not to increase tensions.