N. Korea test fires short-range missile

SEOUL, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A short-range missile was launched Monday from the east coast of North Korea into the sea, a South Korean official said.

The apparent test fire occurred hours after North Korea announced the death of leader Kim Jong II, which has put South Korea on high military alert, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

An unnamed South Korean official confirmed the missile launch but said it did not appear to be related to Kim's death, Yonhap said.