Seoul, July 25: In an apparent show of defiance to US President Donald Trump, Kim Jong-un's North Korea fired two short-range missiles into the sea on Thursday. According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired two unidentified projectiles from near its east coast city of Wonsan. The missiles reportedly fell into the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea, reports said. The White House, Pentagon and US State Department didn't immediately respond.

North Korea fired one unidentified projectile at 5:34 am local time Thursday and the other at 5:57 am from Wonsan areas, and they flew around 430 km before falling into the East Sea, Xinhua reported. Japan's Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya confirmed that the launches did not reach Japanese waters, calling the launch a "very regrettable". It was unclear if Kim Jong-un oversaw this launch. North Korea Leader Kim Jong Un Votes in Elections with 99.98% Turnout: KCNA.

"Our military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches and maintaining a readiness posture," the JCS said. South Korean and US intelligence authorities are analysing what North Korea launched, it added. Kim Jong-Un Warns of 'Dark and Dangerous Future' As North Korea, U.S. Negotiators at an Impasse.

It is the first missile test reported since President Trump and Kim Jong-un met at the demilitarised zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas at the end of June. The development comes after North Korea asked South Korea to cancel a joint military drill with the US that is scheduled to be held in August.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2019 08:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).