(CNN) North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles into the sea off the east coast of the Korean Peninsula, officials said — the country’s latest missile launch in recent days.
Japan’s Defense Ministry said officials were still analyzing the data but estimated that the two missiles were fired at around 7:00 a.m. local time on Monday and fell into the Sea of Japan “east of the Korean Peninsula , outside Japan’s exclusive economic zone,” the statement said.
North Korea acknowledged the incident, calling it a “super-large multiple rocket launcher exercise, which is a means of tactical nuclear attack.” The country said the exercise was a response to the joint air force of the United States and South Korea.
The two countries conducted joint air drills on Sunday, according to South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense which said only after North Korea warned on Friday of “unprecedented forceful responses” when there are military exercises.
US Air Force B-1B strategic bombers are deployed to the Korean Peninsula with escort assistance from F-35As, F-15Ks, and F-16s from the South Korean and US Air Forces, South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense said. .
“Through the timely and immediate deployment of the US extended deterrence force on the Korean Peninsula, the two demonstrated the SK-US joint defense capability and posture through the overwhelming force of the alliance and improved joint operational capabilities,” the statement of the Ministry .
Washington and Seoul are also expected to hold nuclear tabletop drills this week at the Pentagon, the South Korean Defense Ministry said on Friday. The allies plan to conduct more military drills next month on the Korean Peninsula.
The report by state-run media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on the launch said that the Korean People’s Army (KPA) activated two 600 mm radial guns and fired several projectiles. South Korea considers multi-rocket launchers larger than 600 mm as ballistic missiles.
Japan’s Defense Ministry noted that the first missile was launched at about 6:59 a.m. local time and flew about 400 km (248 miles) at a maximum altitude of about 100 km (62 miles). The second missile was fired around 7:10 a.m. local time at a maximum altitude of about 50 km (31 miles).
The Japanese Coast Guard said in an earlier statement on its official website that North Korea had launched three suspected ballistic missiles, however, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said only two short-range ballistic missiles had been fired. seen.
Japan’s coast guard issued an alert to ships Monday morning local time and advised them to “watch for more information.” The agency also told vessels to stay clear of fallen objects and report any sightings to the coast guard.
Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and one of the country’s top officials, issued a statement on Monday at the time of the suspected missile launch.
Kim said in the statement, posted by KCNA, that North Korea has “satisfactory technology and capabilities” for missile penetration and now all that is left is to “focus on increasing the number of forces.”
“Instead of being skeptical or worried about other people’s technologies, it’s better to think carefully about adversaries to protect yourself,” Kim said.
He also said that if North Korea considers the presence of US forces in the region a threat, they will take “corresponding measures,” adding, “the frequency of using the Pacific Ocean as our shooting range depends on the nature of the US. military actions.”
A day before the incident, North Korea acknowledged that it had conducted a test on Saturday of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), its third known test of a long-range weapon in less than a year. .
The state-run Korean Central News Agency said a Hwasong-15 ICBM was fired in a “surprise ICBM launching drill” under the written orders of leader Kim Jong Un.
The missile flew 989 kilometers (614 miles) in about 67 minutes to an altitude of 5,768.5 kilometers (3,584 miles), according to the KCNA report.
It said the test was a proof of Pyongyang’s ability to launch a “deadly nuclear attack on hostile forces” and “clear proof of the absolute reliability of our strong physical nuclear deterrent. “
CNN’s Maija Ehlinger contributed to this report.