North Korea has fired what appears to have been several land-to-ship missiles off its east coast, according to South Korea's military.

The missiles, launched on Thursday morning from the coastal city of Wonsan, travelled a distance of about 124 miles, said the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff in a statement.

The missiles flew at an altitude of 1.2 miles before falling into the Sea of Japan.

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Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida said: "We can never tolerate these kind of provocative actions."

Mr Kishida said the missiles did not land in Japanese territory and did not have any immediate impact on security.


The test comes despite the extension of UN sanctions less than a week ago and continued diplomatic pressure on the North Koreans to end their nuclear and missile programmes.

North Korea has said the programmes are to protect itself from US aggression, but they are also reported to be trying to develop a ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.

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The missiles tested on Thursday, however, are thought to be aimed at defending the country against warships, rather than attacking another nation.

Also, while UN resolutions ban North Korea from testing ballistic technology, cruise missile tests are allowed, according to Korea Defence Network analyst Lee Il-Woo.

He told AFP that cruise missiles are "much slower than ballistic missiles and can be shot down by anti-aircraft guns".

"North Korea is carrying out carefully calibrated provocations... but restraining from ICBM (inter-continental ballistic missile) tests or nuclear explosions which could bring about military retaliations by (US President Donald) Trump."

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Roh Jae Cheon, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman, said: "North Korea likely wanted to show off its ability to precisely target a large warship, in relation to the joint military drills involving US aircraft carriers.

"By testing different types of missiles, North Korea also appears to be aiming to secure the upper hand in relations with South Korea and the United States."

The test is the fourth since South Korean president Moon Jae In took office on 10 May.

One of Mr Moon's election promises was that he would try to talk with his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un.

The test comes the day after South Korea said it would defer the completion of a US anti-missile defence system that had upset China, North Korea's closest ally.

China was concerned the system's powerful radar would upset the region's delicate security balance.