File photo
Seoul, Republic of Korea: North Korea launched several projectiles including a ballistic missile into the Yellow Sea on Tuesday, Republic of Korea's military said.
Republic of Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said they had detected the launches of "several projectiles" at around 1:00 pm (0400 GMT) from the North Korean city of Chongju into the Yellow Sea, the body of water separating the Korean peninsula from China.
The launches included a short-range ballistic missile, Seoul's military said.
The missiles flew about 80 kilometres (50 miles), the military said, adding that it was analysing their specifications and flight range, and had "strengthened surveillance and vigilance in preparation for possible additional launches".
Seoul's foreign ministry spokesperson Park Il said at a regular news briefing that the government once again urges North Korea to respond to their peace policy and efforts to ease tensions.
"As we firmly support nuclear non-proliferation, we will continue our efforts to achieve substantive progress in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue through a step-by-step and pragmatic approach, while adhering to the goal of complete denuclearisation," he said.
Republic of Korea, along with its main security partner the United States and Japan, were "maintaining a state of full readiness" and closely sharing intelligence, Seoul's military said.
Tuesday's launches were North Korea's first in 37 days and its eighth test this year.
