Rockets are latest in series of launches that have provoked criticism and were allegedly fired off North’s east coast
The US on Sunday called on North Korea to refrain from provocative actions, after South Korea said its neighbour had fired 25 short-range missiles into the sea off the east of the Korean peninsula.
“We are closely monitoring the situation on the Korean Peninsula,” state department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said, in a brief statement. “We once again call on North Korea to refrain from provocative actions that aggravate tensions.”
South Korea’s defence ministry reported the launches, the latest in a series that have provoked criticism from Seoul and Washington. The rockets were fired off the North’s eastern coast and flew about 40 miles into the Sea of Japan, said a ministry spokesman.
The ministry said 10 rockets were fired at 6:20 pm (0920 GMT, 5.20EDT), and eight more at 8:03 pm. Another seven followed at 9:30 pm.
He said: “Following the North’s rocket launch our military has maintained a close watch for possible North Korean provocations.”
The Yonhap news agency earlier reported that 10 short-range missiles were fired. South Korean troops have increased vigilance following a series of launches of rockets or missiles.
The activity coincides with annual South Korean-US military exercises that started in February and will run until mid-April.
Pyongyang routinely condemns such joint exercises as rehearsals for an invasion, while Seoul and Washington say they are purely defensive.
