Seoul - Saba:
Pyongyang fired "a number of unidentified ballistic missiles" on Monday as Washington and Seoul began their annual joint military drills, "Freedom Shield," according to the South Korean military.
The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said: "Our military detected at approximately 1:15 p.m. (4:50 GMT) a number of unidentified ballistic missiles launched from Hwanghae Province toward the West Sea," the Korean name for the Yellow Sea.
The same source added in a statement: "Our forces will enhance surveillance and remain fully prepared in close cooperation with the United States."
These drills, which began on Monday, include "live, simulated and field training," according to a US statement, which indicated that they will continue until March 21.
North Korea earlier on Monday condemned the "Freedom Shield 2025" drills as a "provocation", warning of the risk of war breaking out with "one accidental shot". "This is a serious provocation that will escalate the situation on the Korean peninsula and could lead to a conflict between the two sides with one accidental shot," the foreign ministry was quoted as saying by state media.
Pyongyang regularly denounces military cooperation between the United States and South Korea, viewing the drills as preparation for invasion, and often responds with missile tests.
The two Koreas have remained technically at war since their 1950-53 hostilities ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
The United States has tens of thousands of troops in South Korea, and the "Freedom Shield" drills are the largest annual joint exercises between the allies.
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