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North Korea has launched five projectiles into the Sea of Japan, its latest military manoeuvre amid concerns about its nuclear programme.
South Korea disputed Pyongyang’s description of the projectiles as “missiles” yesterday, saying instead the objects were smaller “short-range projectiles” – most likely conventional shells.
South Korean officials said the five projectiles flew about 200 kilometres after being launched from an area about 20km south of Hamhung on Monday afternoon local time.
Tensions have been soaring on the divided Korean peninsula since the North carried out its fourth nuclear test on January 6, followed a month later by a long-range rocket launch that was widely seen as a disguised ballistic missile test.
The United Nations (UN) Security Council responded earlier this month by imposing its toughest sanctions on North Korea to date.
