North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast late Monday, South Korea and Japan said, as tensions remain high over Pyongyang's frequent weapons tests.
The first missile flew about 350 kilometers and the second around 400 km, both reaching an altitude of some 100 km, Japan's Defense Ministry said, adding the projectiles apparently fell outside the country's exclusive economic zone, which extends around 370 km from its coast.
The South Korean military's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from near Pyongyang between 11:55 p.m. and midnight.
On Tuesday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned North Korea for violating U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban it from conducting ballistic missile launches, saying Pyongyang's provocations threaten the "peace and stability of Japan, the region and the international community."
Kishida also said Tokyo had lodged a protest with Pyongyang and there were no reports of damage to aircraft or ships as a result of Monday's firings.
The latest launches came after the U.S. submarine Annapolis made a port call at Jeju Island, southern South Korea, on Monday as part of apparent efforts by Washington and Seoul to strengthen deterrence in the region.
Ahead of the 70th anniversary of the July 27 signing of a cease-fire for the 1950-1953 Korean War, North Korea launched several cruise missiles toward the Yellow Sea on Saturday and, in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions, two short-range ballistic missiles toward the Sea of Japan on Wednesday.
In Washington, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre condemned the launches as violating the U.N. resolutions and posing a threat to the international community.
"Our commitment to the defense of (South) Korea and Japan remains ironclad," she said during a press briefing, while urging North Korea to engage in dialogue.
Related coverage:
North Korea fires cruise missiles toward Yellow Sea: S. Korea
Biden to host 3-way summit with Japan, S. Korea on Aug. 18: sources
North Korea launches 2 ballistic missiles toward Sea of Japan
