Multiple missiles launched into East Sea by North Korea, says South Korea

Seoul: North Korea on Wednesday fired multiple cruise missiles as part of the latest launch after South Korea and the US staged major joint drills 'Freedom Shield' which lasts at least 10 days.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a statement, said that the South Korean military has detected multiple cruise missiles launched into the East Sea. He added that detailed specifications are being analysed by South Korea-US intelligence authorities, reported AFP.

North Korea views the military exercises by Seoul and the US as rehearsals for invasion or a "declaration of war". The government has repeatedly threatened to take "overwhelming" action in response. The South Korean military said that it will "successfully complete the planned joint Freedom Shield drills under a firm joint defence posture."

After Pyongyang spent the past year testing a record-breaking number of weapons, Seoul and Washington have ramped up security cooperation. The international community thinks the nuclear threat from North Korea is growing.

Last week, Pyongyang test-fired its largest and most powerful missile, a Hwasong-17. It was also its second ICBM test this year. North Korean state media termed it as a response to the ongoing, "frantic" US-South Korea drills. Last year, the country declared itself an "irreversible" nuclear power. Leader Kim Jong Un once again called for an "exponential" increase in weapons production, including tactical nuclear weapons, and ordered the military to prepare for a "real war".