DPRK launches two short-range missiles

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Monday launched two short-range missiles on its east coast, local media reported.

The DPRK fired off two short-range ballistic missiles, believed to be of Scud-C type, for 10 minutes from 6:19 a.m. local time Monday at Gitaeryeong and Wonsan areas in the DPRK's southeast coast.

The missiles, fired toward northeastern waters, were believed to be of Scud-C type as they flew more than 500 km.

On Feb. 27, the DPRK fired four short-range missiles, allegedly of Scud-type missiles, from the same area. The four missiles flew around 220 km at an altitude of 60-70 km.

The DPRK reportedly has around 700 missiles of 300-km-range Scud-B type and of 500-km-range Scud-C type. It also has Scud-ER missiles, a modifier of Scud-D missiles, with a range of more than 700 km.

South Koreas Defense Ministry spokesman Kim Min-seok said that the launch was seen as "intended provocation" as the incident came after annual war games between Seoul and Washington began.

South Korea and the United States began their annual joint war games as scheduled despite the DPRK's demand for the delay or cancellation of the drills.

The "Key Resolve" command post exercise and the "Foal Eagle" field training exercise started in the morning on Feb. 24, with participation of 12,700 U.S. soldiers, including more than 6,000 forces from overseas bases.

A DPRK patrol ship intruded into the disputed inter-Korean maritime border at night on Feb. 24, local media reported.