North Korea has fired two short-range missiles off its western coast, ahead of a visit to Seoul by the United States defense secretary.
 
An official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said Thursday that two surface-to-air missiles, presumed to be KN-06, were fired from Hwajin-ri, Pyongwon County in South Pyongan Province on Tuesday.
 
The official said the missiles flew only dozens of kilometers before plunging into the sea, adding the North appeared to be test-firing the missiles as it has often been observed doing in live-fire drills. 
 
The official said, however, the South Korean military is keeping a close eye on the North Korean military ahead of a scheduled defense ministers’ meeting between Seoul and Washington. U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will visit South Korea for three days beginning Thursday.