The U.S. and Russian governments say North Korea’s latest launch of short-range missiles is not necessarily in violation of international obligations.

Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters on Monday that the North’s missile launches “could be construed” as provocative, although “these short-range missile launches do not necessarily violate their international obligations.”

Little stressed that anything that can be construed to be provocative continues to concern the U.S., adding that the United States and its allies remain watchful and will continue to monitor what happens on the Korean Peninsula.

Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrov also said Monday that the North's recent launches of short-range missiles are not against international obligations, noting the UN Security Council resolution only forbids North Korea from launching ballistic missiles.

Seoul's Defense Ministry said Monday that the North fired what is believed to be a KN-02 ground-to-ground missile sometime between 11 a.m. and noon on Monday. Another launch was detected later in the afternoon.

Monday's launches marked the third consecutive day North Korea fired short-range projectiles.

North Korea launched three projectiles on Saturday and another on Sunday, calling them a part of a regular military exercise.