North Korea fires ballistic missiles off its east coast

The South Korean army announced that it launched a large number of ballistic missiles from Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, towards the sea off the east coast.

The first launch of North Korea’s ballistic missiles in two months comes as South Korean President Lee Jae-myung is due to make an official visit to China starting Sunday, where Seoul said peace on the “Korean peninsula” will be discussed.

In a statement, the General Staff said, “Our army has strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for further launches” and said that it is sharing information closely with the United States and Japan.

The launches took place around 7.50 am on Sunday.

The missiles are believed to have already crashed, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense.

Pyongyang last tested its ballistic missile in November.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un demanded more than double the tactical guided weapons production capacity during his latest visit to an munitions factory on Saturday, according to reports in North Korean state media.

In recent weeks, Kim has made a series of visits to nuclear-powered submarines as well as factories producing weapons and oversaw missile tests to determine the Workers’ Party’s “core policy objectives” ahead of this year’s Ninth Party Congress.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will host Lee on an official visit starting Sunday.

Without going into details of the summit agenda, Lee’s security adviser, Wi Sung-lac, said Seoul expects Beijing to play a role in promoting peace on the Korean peninsula.

Lee’s agenda with Xi includes persuading China to facilitate dialogue with North Korea, experts said, at a time when North Korea has rejected Lee’s aid.