International Condemnation, Concern After North Korea's Missile Launches.
BLITZER: International condemnation and concern over North Korea's launch of four ballistic missiles early this morning. Officials say the intermediate-range missiles traveled more than 600 miles toward the Sea of Japan. Three them landed inside Japan's exclusive economic zone, 200 nautical miles from its coastline. CNN also learned U.S. Intelligence is watching underground test site to see if they are preparing for another underground test. CNN's Alexandra Field is joining us live from Seoul, South Korea. Alexandra, what do officials think precipitated the launch of these four missiles?</s>FIELD: Well, look, Wolf, timing is everything. And the launch of these missiles doesn't come as a surprise to anyone in South Korea or frankly in the U.S. because it seems that this launch was clearly intended to send a message to the governments of both countries. This launch of these four missiles sent to the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, comes at the same time that we are seeing the begin of the annual joint military exercises between South Korea and the U.S. These are very involved operations that last for about two months. And every year, these operations really rankle the North Koreans. Earlier this year, Kim Jong-Un again demanded these countries put a stop to these exercises, threatening action if they didn't. What you have seen now is this firing off of these four ballistic missiles at this time. These exercises are seen by Pyongyang as evidence of preparation for an invasion. Kim Jong-Un has said he is protecting and defending his missile and his nuclear program because of what he sees as the U.S.'s hostile policy toward his country. If the past is a precedent, we can remind viewers North Korea took similar actions just a year ago, when these exercises kicked off also launching missiles at that time.</s>BLITZER: Alexandra, what does this launch tell us about North Korea's missile program.</s>FIELD: You do learn a little more about the program in that reclusive country every time you see a launch like this. What is interesting is the fact that this launch has come so quickly after the last launch, which was just a month ago, when the North Koreans tested a new intermediate range missile that's able to be fueled up a bit for quickly. Five months prior to that launch, there was another launch of three missiles. What the analysts are saying is it certainly appears that North Korea's missile program is becoming more sophisticated. They need less downtime between the launches. We have had 20 missile launches in the last year. That part is significant to the international audience. What is also significant, Wolf, is the fact we have now seen two tests, one why they launched three missiles, this most recent, they launched four missiles. Some are saying this is a possible sign that they are preparing for how they could invade THAAD, the South Korean missile defense system set to be deployed later this year. So there's some theory here that North Koreans are looking at their capacity to multiple projectiles at the same time to see if that would be an effective way to get around the THAAD system -- Wolf?</s>BLITZER: Quickly, Alexandra, the reaction where you are, in Seoul, South Korea, only 30 miles or so from the</s>DMZ. FIELD: They look at this as business as usual to some extent. The missile launches are not uncommon. That's why you have got U.S. officials saying they expect to see more launch in the future. They are observing signs of activity at a launch site, and also, as you mentioned, at an underground nuclear site -- Wolf?</s>BLITZER: Alexandra Field, in Seoul, South Korea, thanks very much. That's it for me. Thanks for watching. I'll be back at 5:00 eastern in "The Situation Room." The news continues on CNN.</s>DANA BASH, CNN ANCHOR: Good afternoon. I'm Dana Bash, in for Brooke Baldwin. Thanks for joining me.