North Korea launches ballistic missiles toward sea

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launches took place on Sunday morning from the North’s eastern Sinpo area.

It said South Korea has strengthened its surveillance position and is closely exchanging information with the US and Japan.

South Korea’s presidential office said the National Security Council plans to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the launches.

Japan’s Defense Ministry also noted the launches and said the weapons are believed to have landed in waters off North Korea’s east coast.

It said Tokyo strongly protested against Pyongyang, saying Sunday’s launches threaten regional and international peace and violate U.N. Security Council resolutions banning all North Korea’s ballistic activities.

Last week, North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un oversaw missile tests of the country’s destroyer.

After the test, Kim said his government remained focused on the “unlimited expansion” of its nuclear forces and imposed unspecified new tasks to sharpen the country’s nuclear strike and rapid response capabilities.

International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi said last week that his agency has confirmed “a rapid increase” in activities at nuclear facilities in North Korea.