North Korea launched over 10 ballistic missiles during major US-South Korea military exercises, as diplomatic efforts to reopen dialogue continue.

YEONCHEON/TOKYO: North Korea fired more than 10 ballistic missiles into the sea off its east coast on Saturday. The South Korean military said the launches originated from an area near the capital Pyongyang.

The missiles were launched around 1:20 p.m. local time as US and South Korean forces conducted major joint military drills. Japan’s coast guard also reported detecting a suspected ballistic missile that fell outside its exclusive economic zone.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed the launches in a statement. North Korea has conducted missile tests for over two decades as part of its nuclear weapons delivery programme.

The tests come during the allies’ annual major exercises, which they describe as defensive readiness drills. Pyongyang routinely condemns such exercises as rehearsals for invasion.

Hundreds of US and South Korean troops conducted river-crossing drills with tanks and armoured vehicles on Saturday. The US maintains about 28,500 troops in South Korea.

The launches occurred just days after South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok met US President Donald Trump in Washington. They discussed ways to reopen dialogue with Pyongyang.

Trump remains eager for an opportunity to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, according to the South Korean prime minister. North Korea continues to develop its weapons programmes despite multiple UN Security Council sanctions.

 The Sun Malaysia