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This photo provided by the Korean Central News Agency shows short-range ballistic missile test-fire at an undisclosed location in North Korea in March 2020. (Yonhap News)

North Korea on Thursday launched what appeared to be two ballistic missiles over the East Sea.

“On the morning of March 25, North Korea launched two unidentified projectiles toward the East Sea from the South Hamgyong Province region,” the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the same day.

“Additional information is currently being analyzed closely by South Korean and US intelligence authorities,” it added, indicating that data about the missiles and their range were currently under analysis.

Reuters reported that the projectile may have been a ballistic missile. Japan’s NHK network quoted the Japan Coast Guard saying, “What may have been a North Korean ballistic missile was launched.”

Kyodo News reported that the projectiles did not pass over Japanese territory or land within Japan’s exclusive economic zone. This suggests the projectiles were very likely to have been short-range missiles capable of traveling no farther than a few hundred kilometers.

Previously on Sunday, North Korea launched two short-range projectiles, which were believed to be cruise missiles.

While cruise missiles are not subject to UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions, ballistic missiles would be considered a violation of sanctions regardless of their range. If the latest North Korean projectiles were ballistic missiles, it would be the first such launch in nearly a year since March 29, 2020, as well as the first appearance of ballistic missiles since Joe Biden became US president in January 2021.

During the preceding Donald Trump administration, the US did not take major issue with North Korea launching short-range ballistic missiles in spite of the UNSC sanctions. With the Biden administration currently undertaking a review of North Korea policy, observers are watching to see how it responds.

The Blue House called an emergency meeting of its National Security Council standing committee at 9 am on Thursday.

By Kim Ji-eun, staff reporter

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]