North Korea Fires Two Medium-range Missiles Into The East China Sea: Seoul

North Korea launched two medium-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Sunday, citing the South Korean military, according to Yonhap news agency.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea said that it detected the launches between 11.13 a.m. and 12.05 p.m. from the Tongchang-RI area of North Pyongan Province (local time).

The missiles were fired at steep angles and flew around 500 kilometres, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to the JCS, South Korean and US intelligence agencies have been analysing North Korea's recent missile activities for additional details.

Pyongyang's latest missile attack comes less than a month after it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the entire continental United States, according to Yonhap news agency.

Earlier on Thursday, North Korea conducted an “important test” on a “high-thrust solid-fuel” motor in order to develop “another new-type strategic weapon system,” according to Yonhap and Korean Central News Agency.

According to the Yonhap news agency, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff condemned North Korea's missile launches as an “act of significant provocation” that undermines peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and the international community. It emphasised that the action was a “clear” violation of UN Security Council resolutions.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea emphasised that Seoul will maintain a readiness posture based on its ability to respond “overwhelmingly” to any provocations by Pyongyang. South Korea's JCS has urged North Korea to halt such actions.

We strongly condemn them and urge the North to immediately halt them, South Korea's JCS said in a message, according to Yonhap.

According to a statement from Japan's Prime Minister's Office, North Korea launched a ballistic missile earlier in November. According to a news agency, Pyongyang fired what appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) eastward on Friday, citing a defence source.

The Prime Minister's Office of Japan tweeted, “[Emergency alert] North Korea is suspected of launching a ballistic missile. More updates will be forthcoming.” 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) of South Korea previously announced that North Korea fired an unspecified ballistic missile.