PYONGYANG FIRES 5 PROJECTILES: SEOUL

North Korea fired five short-range projectiles into the sea on Monday, Seoul officials said, in a continuation of weapon launches it has carried out in an apparent response to ongoing South Korea-U.S. military drills it sees as a provocation.

The projectiles launched from a site near Hamhung flew about 200 kilometres before landing in waters off North Korea’s east coast, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The South Korean military was attempting to determine whether the projectiles were missiles, artillery or rockets.

The firings came three days after Seoul said North Korea launched its first medium-range ballistic missile into the sea since early 2014, ignoring UN resolutions against such tests.

The firings appear to be North Korea’s response to annual springtime U.S.South Korean military exercises that it says are a rehearsal for an invasion.