The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) announced that North Korea launched unidentified projectiles from Gangwon Province at around 6:49 a.m. Saturday into the East Sea.
 
The JCS said the projectiles traveled around 250 kilometers, adding the launch was immediately reported to South Korean President Moon Jae-in.

The U.S. Pacific Command said an initial assessment indicated "three short-range ballistic missile launches."
 
The launch comes a month after the North test-fired its Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on July 28th.
 
Military authorities believe the latest provocation is aimed at protesting the annual Ulchi Freedom Guardian joint military exercises that South Korea and the U.S. launched on Monday.
 
The North had test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) into the East Sea on August 24th last year when the joint military drill was being carried out. It then went on to launch three Scud-ER missiles on September second in that same year when the joint drill ended.
 
Observers believe the North opted for a low-intensity provocation by launching short-range missiles instead of SLBMs or intermediate-range ballistic missiles, which are considered strategic provocations aimed at the U.S.
 

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