North Korea Fires Two Ballistic Missiles From Wonsan

North Korea fired two short-range missiles from its eastern coast on Sunday, marking its second round of missile tests in roughly a week as tensions rise over US-led military exercises in the region.

South Korea’s military said the first missile was launched from the Wonsan area at around 3 p.m. local time and traveled approximately 450 kilometers (280 miles) toward the East Sea. The weapon was believed to be part of North Korea’s Hwasong-11 ballistic missile series.

Nearly three hours later, Pyongyang launched another short-range missile from Wonsan at about 5:50 p.m. The second projectile traveled more than 600 kilometers (373 miles), according to South Korea’s defense ministry.

Japan’s defense ministry also assessed the first projectile as a ballistic missile, while public broadcaster NHK reported that it landed outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said intelligence officials from South Korea and the United States tracked the launches from their initial stages and shared information with Japan.

South Korea’s National Security Council condemned the launches and called on Pyongyang to halt its missile activity, saying the tests violated United Nations Security Council resolutions. Japan also reportedly lodged a protest through diplomatic channels in Beijing.

The US Pacific Command said it was consulting closely with allies and partners, adding that initial assessments indicated the launches did not pose an immediate threat to US personnel, territory or regional allies.

The tests followed another North Korean missile launch on September 12 and came amid renewed friction over military exercises involving the United States, South Korea and Japan.

Pyongyang recently criticized a US-led naval exercise held near Guam from August 29 to September 10. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, blamed US-led drills for worsening tensions on the Korean Peninsula and said Pyongyang would continue strengthening its nuclear arsenal.

North Korea also rejected a recent resolution by the UN nuclear watchdog targeting its nuclear program.