SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean official says North Korea test-fired a pair of short-range missiles into its eastern waters this week in a likely response to ongoing routine U.S-South Korean military drills.
A military official in Seoul said Saturday the North launched what appeared to be KN-02 missiles during its own drills. He won't say on what day it happened. He declined to be named citing intelligence rules.
North Korea routinely launches short-range missiles in an effort to improve its arsenal.
The latest test comes at a time of rising tension. Pyongyang has threatened nuclear strikes on Seoul and Washington because of the drills and recent U.N sanctions over its third nuclear test.
Analysts say Pyongyang's threats are partly an attempt to push Washington to agree to disarmament-for-aid talks.