THE Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired off two projectiles, believed to be short-range missiles, eastward from its northwestern region Thursday afternoon, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The unidentified projectiles were launched from an area in North Pyongan province, north of Pyongyang, at about 4:29 p.m. and 4:49 p.m.

The projectiles traveled some 420 km and 270 km, respectively, in the direction of the east, the JCS said in a brief statement.

The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were precisely analyzing the projectiles for further information.

The JCS said the South Korean military intensified surveillance and defense readiness in preparation for the possibility of additional projectile launches, noting that it maintained full readiness in close cooperation with the United States.

It came just five days after the DPRK fired several short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast Saturday.

The South Korean military believed that the short-range projectiles were fired from 240-mm and 300-mm multiple rocket launchers and a new type of tactical guided weapon. (Xinhua)