North Korea fires two 'unidentified projectiles' into the Sea of Japan

Pyongyang has demonstrated its capabilities for a sixth time since July in protest at joint US-South Korean military exercises

FILE - In this July 25, 2019, photo provided on Friday, July 26, 2019, by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a missile test in North Korea.  South Korea's military said Friday, Aug. 16, North Korea fired more projectiles into the sea to extend a recent streak of weapons tests believed to be aimed at pressuring Washington and Seoul over slow nuclear diplomacy. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP, File)
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North Korea fired two "unidentified projectiles" into the sea early on Friday in the latest in a series of similar launches by Pyongyang, the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

The South Korean military said the projectiles were fired from near the city of Tongchon, in Kangwon Province, into the East Sea, also known as the Sea of Japan.

"The military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches while maintaining a readiness posture," the JCS said.

It is the sixth round of launches since last month, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un labelling them a "solemn warning" over US-South Korean joint military drills that began earlier this month.

North Korea has always been infuriated by the war games, decrying them as rehearsals for invasion.

Earlier on Friday, the North's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Country released a statement saying it rejected comments by South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Thursday that outlined his desire for unification, and said it had nothing else to discuss with South Korean authorities.

In a speech marking the anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 rule, Moon outlined a goal of "achieving peace and unification by 2045", although his single five-year term presidency ends in 2022.

The North's statement blamed the South for the deadlock of the "historic Panmunjom declaration", adding: "We have nothing to talk any more with the south Korean authorities nor have any idea to sit with them again."