North Korea fires two projectiles off east coast into sea

North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles off the east coast into the sea on Monday, South Korea’s defense ministry said.

The ministry did not provide details of the projectiles but said it is watching for any additional launches.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un oversaw military drills on Friday, a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.

Little is known about the projectiles, except that they were launched from the North’s east coast towards the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

Last May saw the first missile tests after an 18-month freeze. As the year progressed, many more followed.

North Korea has historically stepped up missile testing in the spring.

“The military is monitoring for additional launches and maintaining readiness,” said South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff in a statement.

The tests come just days after South Korea and the US announced they were postponing the annual joint drills that anger the North, amid concern over the coronavirus.

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