DPRK fires 2 unidentified projectiles into eastern waters: S.Korea's military

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired two unidentified projectiles into the eastern waters early on Thursday, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

The projectiles were launched near the DPRK's eastern coastal city of Wonsan at 5:34 a.m. and 5:57 a.m. local time respectively, and flew about 430 km, the JCS said in a statement.

Citing the JCS official, Yonhap news agency reported that the projectiles were believed to be fired from mobile launchers and travel at an altitude of about 50 km.

The military authorities of South Korea and the United States were analyzing what the projectiles were, the JCS said.

The South Korean military maintained a defense posture, closely monitoring relevant situations in preparation for a possibly additional launch.

It was the DPRK's first launch of projectiles since the country fired projectiles twice in May. During the latest firing of two projectiles on May 9, those traveled about 420 km and 270 km each.

The presidential Blue House of South Korea said in a statement that it was closely managing situations relevant to the DPRK's "short-range missile" launches through the National Security Office (NSO) crisis management center.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in was briefed on it immediately after the launches, the Blue House said.

The South Korean government had closely monitored situations as it recognized the relevant situations "in advance", and it was running a rapid response system among relevant ministries.

The Blue House said the intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were precisely analyzing the DPRK's short-range missiles.

The NSO meeting will be held later in the day to discuss the DPRK's missile firings, the Blue House added.