People watching a TV news programme using a file image to report the firing of projectiles by North Korea, PHOTO: AP

North Korea launched at least two projectiles into the sea on Friday, South Korea's military said.

Iran Press/Asia: North Korea has fired two unidentified projectiles into the sea off its eastern coast on Friday morning, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said in a statement. It is the latest in a series of launches to protest US-South Korea joint military drills, reported Aljazeera.

It was the sixth round of launches in less than three weeks. The South Korean military said the projectiles were fired from near the city of Tongchon of Kangwon Province into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

Earlier on August 13, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un  promoted the military ranks of scientists for their contribution to developing new weapons.

Kim issued an order to promote the military ranks of 103 scientists in the field of national defense science research who have made great contributions to bolstering up the military capabilities for self-defense. 

The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Tuesday that Kim highly praised the scientists for providing an "epoch-making turning point" in strengthening the country's military capabilities and settling highly difficult technological problems of the ultra-modern national defense science.

North Korea in recent months has test-fired short-range ballistic missiles presumed to be KN-23s, a modified version of a Russian Iskander missile, a large-caliber multiple rocket launcher systems and a new surface-to-surface tactical missile.

Furthermore, on August 10, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan after the US president talks up 'beautiful letter' from Kim.

US officials have said stalled denuclearization talks with the North Koreans will happen 'soon', but have admitted that time and location have yet to be set.

US President and North Korean leader agreed in July to resume denuclearization talks that have been stalled since the collapse of their second summit in Hanoi but no joint declaration or agreements were made after the meeting. 101/203

 

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