North Korea launched approximately 10 short-range ballistic missiles from the Pyongyang region toward the eastern sea around 5 p.m. local time on Thursday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The projectiles flew roughly 300 kilometres before landing outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, the Japanese defence ministry said. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the government was gathering and analysing information to ensure the safety of aircraft and vessels.
The launches came a day after the U.S. and South Korean militaries announced they were scaling back their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, following an order by U.S. President Donald Trump to substantially reduce the drills. Kim Yo Jong dismissed the gesture, saying the provocative nature of the exercises would not change.
Trump on Wednesday affirmed he expects to meet Kim Jong Un again this year, though Kim Yo Jong denied that the North Korean leader had responded to any request for talks. The launches mark Pyongyang's second such test since August 12.