North Korea conducts new maritime missile test; South Korea on alert

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles into the sea on Sunday in its latest round of weapons tests this year, according to a South Korean statement.South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched in the morning from the Sinpo area on the east coast, adding that Seoul had stepped up surveillance and was coordinating closely with the United States and Japan.South Korea’s Blue House said the National Security Council will hold an emergency meeting to assess the situation.Japan’s Defense Ministry also spotted the launch, saying the missile may have landed near North Korea’s east coast. It protested to Pyongyang, saying the launches “threatened regional and international peace” and violated U.N. Security Council resolutions banning ballistic activities.Last week, North Korean state media said the leader Kim Jong Un Overseeing a missile test aboard a destroyer. Kim later said North Korea would pursue “unlimited expansion” of its nuclear forces and develop new missions to strengthen nuclear strike and rapid response capabilities.IAEA Chairman Rafael Grossi said last week that the agency had seen a “rapid increase” in activity at North Korea’s nuclear facilities.