North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea on Sunday, followed hours later by another projectile, South Korea's military said, amid heightened tensions over US-led military exercises and Pyongyang's nuclear programme.
The missile travelled about 450 kilometres toward waters off North Korea's east coast, according to the South Korean military.
The military later reported another launch from the North's eastern coast but did not identify the projectile. It said South Korea had strengthened its surveillance and was closely sharing information with the United States and Japan.
South Korea's presidential office condemned the launches and called on Pyongyang to immediately stop ballistic missile tests prohibited under UN Security Council resolutions. It also said an emergency National Security Council meeting was held to discuss the launches.
Japan's Defence Ministry said it detected a suspected North Korean missile but that it did not land in Japanese territorial waters.
The launches came two days after Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticised a recent US-led maritime exercise in the region, calling it a “frantic military move” aimed at maintaining American dominance in the Asia-Pacific.
She also warned that North Korea's efforts to strengthen its nuclear deterrence would continue, saying its intention to defend its sovereignty would be demonstrated through “clearer action.”
North Korea has carried out a series of weapons tests in recent weeks, including a launch of around 10 short-range ballistic missiles after the United States and South Korea conducted a military exercise that Pyongyang condemned as provocative.
Last month, US President Donald Trump scaled back the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise with South Korea, apparently seeking to revive diplomacy with Kim Jong Un. Kim Yo Jong dismissed the move, saying a shorter exercise would not alter what she described as its provocative nature.
Earlier this month, North Korea also conducted what it described as a joint live-fire drill involving missiles, artillery and drones, shortly after a five-day trilateral military exercise involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.
Kim has continued expanding North Korea's nuclear arsenal since his diplomacy with Trump collapsed in 2019. Trump cited his relationship with Kim when ordering the Pentagon to substantially reduce the annual military exercise with South Korea.
Experts say North Korea's growing nuclear capabilities and closer ties with Russia and China could give Kim greater leverage in any future talks with Trump.
Kim has said North Korea could return to negotiations if Washington abandons what Pyongyang calls a “hostile policy” and recognises its status as a nuclear state.