North Korea test-fires missiles

North Korea has test-fired a pair of short-range missiles into its eastern waters in a likely response to ongoing routine US-South Korea n military drills, according to officals in South Korea.

A military official in Seoul said the North launched what appeared to be KN-02 missiles during its own drills.

North Korea routinely launches short-range missiles in an effort to improve its arsenal.

The latest test comes at a time of rising tension. Pyongyang has threatened nuclear strikes on Seoul and Washington because of the drills and recent UN sanctions over its third nuclear test.

Analysts say Pyongyang’s threats are partly an attempt to push Washington to agree to disarmament-for-aid talks.