North Korea fires two projectiles into sea

Seoul, March 21

North Korea on Saturday fired two projectiles presumed to be short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast, Seoul’s military said. The projectiles were fired from North Pyongan province into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, the South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement, without providing details. “The military is monitoring for additional launches and maintaining readiness,” it added.

Japan’s Defence Ministry said the North launched what appeared to be “ballistic missile-like object(s)”, adding there had been no indication of anything coming down in Japanese territory or its exclusive economic zone. Earlier this month, the nuclear-armed North carried out similar launches on two occasions. The latest launch comes amid a prolonged hiatus in disarmament talks with the US. — AFP