North Korea launched four missiles on Monday, three of them landing in Japan's exclusive economic zone -- waters extending 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from its coast -- drawing strong protests from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Here are five questions on the North's missile and nuclear weapons programme, which it insists are for defensive purposes. Analysts say the latest missile launch is likely an act of protest against annual joint military drills by Seoul and Washington, and a renewed challenge to the US news administration.



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