North Korea Launches Two Short-Range Ballistic Missiles off East Coast, Raising International Concerns

North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Monday, according to South Korea’s military. Japan’s Defense Ministry estimated the missiles were launched at around 7:00 a.m. local time and fell into the Sea of Japan, outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

South Korea detected the two launches from a western coastal town, just north of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital. Japan’s coast guard also issued warnings over what it called possible ballistic missile launches by North Korea.

North Korea acknowledged the incident, calling it a “super-large multiple rocket launcher exercise, which is a means of tactical nuclear attack.” The coast guard, quoting Defense Ministry information, said the first missile was believed to have already landed in the water.

The missile launch comes two days after North Korea resumed testing activities with an intercontinental ballistic missile launch. The launch has raised concerns among international leaders, who are calling for North Korea to cease its missile tests.

South Korea and Japan have both expressed their concerns over the missile launch and have urged North Korea to return to the negotiating table. The United Nations Security Council has also condemned the missile launch and called on North Korea to comply with its obligations under international law.