North Korea fired four short-range projectiles in an eastern direction, starting the launches early Wednesday when by-elections were under way in South Korea.
 
The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said the projectiles, presumed to be from a 300-millimeter multiple rocket launcher, were fired Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., 7:40 a.m., 5:50 p.m. and around 6 p.m. from a site near Mount Myohyang in Pyongan Province.
 
A JCS official said the firing of the first two projectiles appears to have failed as they were in the air for just a few seconds.
 
The official said the third projectile traveled some 210 kilometers before falling into the East Sea, while the fourth fell in an inland area after traveling some 130 kilometers.
 
The JCS said Pyongyang fired the rockets without informing civilian flights or vessels of its planned action.
 
The North has fired 102 rockets and missiles so far this year.