North Korea Launches Two Ballistic Missiles Amid Heightened Tensions with the United States

On Monday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters. This is the latest in a series of weapons displays by the country as the United States moves an aircraft carrier strike group to the region for military exercises with South Korea.

According to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, the two missiles were launched from a western inland area south of Pyongyang between 7:47 a.m. and 8 a.m. and traveled 229 miles before landing at sea. Japan’s military reported that the missiles flew on an “irregular” trajectory and reached a maximum altitude of 31 miles before landing outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The United States has not yet commented on the missile launches, but the move is likely to be seen as a show of force by North Korea as the U.S. and South Korea continue their military exercises in the region.

The missile launches come as tensions between North Korea and the U.S. have been rising in recent months. North Korea has been increasingly vocal in its criticism of the U.S. and its allies, and has conducted several missile tests in recent weeks.

The U.S. and South Korea have been conducting joint military exercises in the region in an effort to deter North Korea from further provocations. It is unclear how the latest missile launches will affect the ongoing exercises.