North Korea fires two ‘ballistic missiles’ towards Japan as ships are put on high alert

NORTH Korea today fired two missiles into the Sea of Japan, extending a streak of weapons tests apparently aimed at ramping up pressure on Washington over a stalemate in nuclear negotiations.

Leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch just a day after sending South Korean President Moon Jae-in condolences over the death of his mother.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the first projectile was launched at 4.38pm local time from South Phyongan Province in the centre of North Korea.

A second was detected three minutes later at 4.38pm.

They landed in Pyonganamdo after travelling an estimated 230 miles and reaching an altitude of 56 miles, the JCS said, calling them "short range".

Japan's defence ministry said the projectiles were likely "ballistic missiles", and said they had not landed within their territory.

An American air base at Misawa, 700 miles north of Tokyo, posted a "real world missile alert" and urged personnel to seek shelter, before later issuing an "all clear".

'RUNNING OUT OF PATIENCE'

The afternoon launch timing was a departure from this year's string of tests, which usually took place around dawn.

The North's latest launch follows statements of displeasure over the slow pace of nuclear negotiations with the US and demands that the Trump administration ease sanctions and pressure on Pyongyang.

Pyongyang said on Sunday it was running out of patience with Washington over what it described as unilateral disarmament demands.

And it warned that a close personal relationship between the leaders alone wouldn't be enough to prevent nuclear diplomacy from derailing.

Earlier this month, the North said it had successfully test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile for the first time in three years to bolster self-defence.

Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in have met three times last year and struck a series of deals aimed at easing animosities and boosting exchanges.

But in recent months, North Korea has drastically reduced its engagement and diplomatic activities with South Korea, after Seoul failed to resume lucrative joint economic projects held back by US-led UN sanctions.

Pyongyang said the missiles are necessary to defend against new warplanes and weapons acquired by South Korea, including the advanced F-35 stealth fighter jet.

The hermit kingdom has also accused the United States and South Korea of continuing hostile policies, including joint military drills.

American officials have played down recent tests, saying they were short-range missiles.

Last week, Kim ordered the destruction of South Korean-built facilities at a long-shuttered joint tourist project at a North Korean mountain.

South Korea later proposed talks but North Korea has insisted they exchange documents to work out details of Kim's order.