North Korea's launch of multiple ballistic missiles towards the East Sea appears to be an apparent response to South Korea's successful test of a hypersonic glide vehicle last week, the South Korean military has confirmed.
South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the launches originating from the Pyongyang region.
At least one projectile flew more than 900 kilometres, Yonhap News Agency said.
JCS spokesperson Jang Do-young said the firing could also demonstrate technical advances under Pyongyang's five-year defence modernisation blueprint.
Jang declined to confirm whether the weapons tested were hypersonic systems or intermediate-range ballistic missiles, noting that further technical analysis is ongoing.
The launches followed South Korea’s inaugural test of a hypersonic glide vehicle on Thursday.
Regional reactions
Japan's defence authorities confirmed detecting two suspected ballistic missiles, reporting that the projectiles landed in waters outside its exclusive economic zone.
The US Pacific Command issued a statement confirming close consultations with regional allies: "Based on current assessments, this event does not pose an immediate threat to US personnel or territory, or to our allies."
The command reiterated Washington's ironclad commitment to defending regional partners.
The missile tests unfold amid friction along the inter-Korean border following a September 21 landmine detonation inside the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that injured three South Korean soldiers, two critically.
Seoul accused North Korean forces of deliberately laying the explosives following a joint inquiry with the UN Command.
Pyongyang rejected the findings as fabricated and warned it would retaliate against any countermeasures.
Pyongyang has not issued an official public statement regarding Monday's launches.
