North Korea fired short-range missiles off its western coast in a test yesterday, according to the South Korean government, the AP reported. The United States said the launch was "not constructive". The missile tests come at a time when negotiations – the so-called six party talks, where China is a key player – for North Korea's nuclear disarmament have reached a stand-still. North Korea is also being prevented from withdraw US$25 million from a blacklisted Macau bank, threatening to renege on a promise to shut down a nuclear reactor over delays in the release of the money. The US claims the bank launders and counterfeits funds for the North.