SEOUL/TOKYO: North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang area toward the Sea of Japan on Monday, South Korea’s military said.

The missiles appear to have dropped outside of Japan’s exclusive economic zone, according to a Japanese government official.

South Korea’s military said that the missiles both traveled about 400 kilometers.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered officials to gather and analyze intelligence and ensure safety.

North Korea’s latest missile launches came after the US nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis arrived in the southern South Korean island of Jeju earlier on Monday following last week’s visit to South Korea by the US nuclear-armed submarine USS Kentucky.

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan on Wednesday and cruise missiles on Saturday.

Pyongyang’s provocative actions come in response to moves by the United States and South Korea to strengthen deterrence.

JIJI Press