Friday's launch marked the fourth time in just over a week that North Korea has fired such missiles. "These tests are part of the normal activities of the General Department and the Agency for Defense Development... aimed at advancing the technology of new weapon systems... and have nothing to do with the regional situation," KCNA said.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the US and South Korean militaries were analyzing recent North Korean missile launches. They said the South Korean military detected multiple missiles, but did not immediately provide a specific number or an assessment of their flight.

The launch came hours after state media reported that Kim Jong Un continued to emphasize the strengthening of North Korea's naval power when he inspected a shipyard in Nampho on the country's west coast.

During the inspection, Mr. Kim was briefed on the progress of naval projects as well as remaining technological challenges, and ordered workers to “unconditionally” complete the tasks according to the plan that runs until 2025, according to KCNA.

Last month, North Korea also tested a long-range cruise missile that it described as nuclear-capable and capable of covering a range of up to 2,000 km, potentially putting US military bases in Japan within range.

Meanwhile, the South Korean military said its special forces concluded a 10-day training session with the U.S. Army Green Berets on Friday near the capital Seoul. The two countries have held larger exercises in recent months, including trilateral exercises involving Japan.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was “increasingly concerned by what we have seen over the past few weeks... For his part, the Secretary-General will continue to call for a de-escalation of tensions and a resumption of diplomatic dialogue.”

Hoang Hai (according to KCNA, Yonhap, AP)