N. Korea fires ballistic missiles ahead of visit

North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles from an area near Pyongyang toward waters off its east coast, South Korea said, the latest in a series of volleys ahead of a planned visit to the region next week by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Launched at 6:29 p.m. local time Thursday, the missiles flew about 224 miles and reached an altitude of 60 miles, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said, adding it was still analyzing details.

It was North Korea’s third volley of ballistic missiles this month, and came before Biden is due to meet new South Korean President Yoon Sukyeol.