U.S. media have covered North Korea’s test-firing of four short-range missiles as top news on Thursday, saying tension is mounting on the Korean Peninsula.

Leading U.S. media, including CNN and Fox News, noted that the North’s missile launches coincided with an Independence Day celebration held at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

U.S.-based National Public Radio said the first launch came just before the U.S. ambassador's reception began on Thursday afternoon, while the second and third deployments occurred as the celebratory event was under way. The timing for the fourth launch was not immediately available.

The North launched a long-range missile in 2006 in the early morning hours of July fifth, Korea Time, which coincided with the July fourth holiday in the United States.

This year, Pyongyang conducted its second nuclear test on the last Monday in May, which was Memorial Day in the United States.

Observers say the North is likely to make another provocative move on Saturday, which is the Independence Day holiday in the U.S., in a bid to get Washington’s attention.