South Korea said Friday it successfully test-fired a new self-developed ballistic missile that can hit the most of its northern rival's territory, announcing the move after North Korea conducted its own missile tests late last month.

韩国周五宣布，已经成功试射了一枚自主研发的新弹道导弹，能够打击朝鲜大部分领土。此举旨在回击朝鲜上月底进行的导弹试射。

Kim Min-seok, spokesman for the South Korean Defense Ministry, said in a briefing that its military late last month fired a missile with a range of 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Taean, about 110 kilometers southwest of Seoul. The missile hit 'the intended target,' Mr. Kim added, without specifying its location or direction.

韩国国防部发言人金珉 (Kim Min-seok)在通报会上说，韩国上月底从首尔西南大约110公里的泰安郡发射了一枚射程500公里的导弹，导弹击中了预定目标。不过他没有指出导弹的目标地点或方向。

South Korea is also developing a longer-range variant that can fly 800 kilometers as part of its deterrence against North Korea's weapons of mass destruction, Mr. Kim said. Those missiles would reach the northernmost point of North Korea from the South launch site, he said.

金珉 还说，韩国正在研发一种射程更长、能飞行800公里的导弹，旨在震慑朝鲜的大规模杀伤性武器。他补充说，韩国的导弹能够从本土发射地点击中朝鲜的最北端领土。

The ministry declined to say whether the test preceded or followed the North's launches of two midrange Scud missiles early on March 26.

朝鲜3月26日早晨发射了两枚“劳动”(Rodong)中程弹道导弹。韩国国防部拒绝透露他们自己的试射是在朝鲜之前还是之后。

North Korea has in recent weeks fired multiple short- and mid-range rockets and missiles, some of which violated United Nations Security Council resolutions banning the North's ballistic missile launches. The Rodong missiles fired on March 26 flew about 650 kilometers before landing into the sea east of the Korean Peninsula.

近几周以来，朝鲜发射了数枚短程及中程火箭和导弹，其中一些违犯了联合国安理会禁止朝鲜试射弹道导弹的决议。3月26日发射的两枚“劳动”弹道导弹大约飞行了650公里，之后坠入朝鲜半岛东部海域。

Meanwhile, there are no signs of an imminent nuclear weapons test or new ballistic missiles launch from the North, Mr. Kim said.

金珉 说，目前还没有迹象显示朝鲜将立即进行核武器试验或新的弹道导弹试射。