The first short-range ballistic missile was fired northeastward at around 5:05 a.m. from near Changyon, South Hwanghae Province in North Korea. Another unidentified ballistic missile was detected at around 5:15 a.m. from the same area, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said.

The first missile flew about 600 kilometers (370 miles) and the second flew about 120 kilometers, the statement said. “We strongly condemn North Korea’s missile launch...,” the JCS said in a statement, adding that it had shared information about the missile with the United States and Japan.

"The South Korean military will maintain the capability and posture to strongly respond to any provocations while closely monitoring various North Korean activities under the strong combined defense posture of South Korea and the United States," the statement added.

On Sunday, North Korea criticized joint military exercises between South Korea, Japan and the United States held last month and warned of a “strong response” to such exercises. Last week, North Korea said it had successfully tested a missile with multiple warheads.

Huy Hoang (according to Yonhap, Reuters)