Story highlights
- North Korea has fired two missiles into the sea, believed to be Scud-C
- The launch comes as the United States and South Korea begin joint military drills
- The annual exercises have long sparked tensions
Seoul, South Korea (CNN)North Korea has fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the Sea of Japan, a South Korean Defense Ministry official said.
The missiles were fired from North Korea's west coast into the sea, which is also known as the East Sea, around 6:30 a.m. and 6:40 a.m. Monday (4:30 p.m. and 4:40 p.m. ET Sunday), the official said.
They were fired from an area near Nampo City, located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Pyongyang. The two projectiles were estimated to have flown about 490 kilometers (304 miles) before falling into the sea east of the peninsula, according to the South Korean official, who asked to remain anonymous citing government policy.
Considering the speed, altitude and distance the missiles traveled, they are assumed to be Scud-Cs, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.
North Korea tests 'cutting-edge' missile 01:04
The missiles were fired as the United States and South Korea began annual military drills, which United States Forces Korea describes as "nonprovocative training" that are "an important component of readiness" for defending South Korea.
North Korea orders army to prep for war with U.S. 03:28
The annual joint military exercises, called Foal Eagle and Key Reserve, have long sparked tension between North Korea, South Korea and the United States.
Photos North Korea didn't want you to see – A stern looking North Korean guard by the Chinese border customs office. This image was deleted by North Korean officials.
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Deleting the offensive photos – Writer Johan Nylander and his guide, Ko Chang Ho, watch as a North Korean guard deletes 90 photos deemed unacceptable. Nylander was able to recover the photos with the help of an IT specialist -- the images that follow are an edited selection.
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Hello, Dear Leader – This propaganda monument of "Dear Leader" Kim Jong-Il by a countryside road, not far from the border to China, was deleted by authorities. North Korea required images of leaders be full body shots.
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Waiting for a train – People standing by the train track, while a guard is monitoring the bike race.
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Watching the race – In the city of Rason, people are leaning out of windows to get a glimpse of the Western cyclists.
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Pedestrian peasants – A woman and a man walking by the side of the road lined with cornfields.
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Village life – Villagers waving by the race path.
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Heavy security – Guards and custom officials by the border to China.
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Secret volleyball court? – By the border checkpoint next to the Tumen River, North Korean customs officials can play volleyball. Officials prohibited any photos of North Korean military bases.
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Photos North Korea didn't want you to see – Peasants and villagers standing by the road to look at the Western cyclists
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Keeping watch – Guard keeping an eye on the bikers next to a small village.
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Photos North Korea didn't want you to see – Kids playing outside village houses.
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Waiting for the cyclists – Spectators waiting for the bikers to reach the finish line. In the background the "Great" and "Dear Leaders" Kim Il Sung and his son, Kim Jong-Il.
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Standing on bikes to see cyclists – Huge crowds -- some of whom standing on their own bikes -- as they await cyclists by the race finish line in Rason.
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Document check – Custom official and tourist bureau guide checking foreigners' passports.
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Water checkpoint – Guides from the local tourist bureau handing out water bottles to bikers, monitored by a guard in the background.
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Writer and his minder – Journalist Johan Nylander and his North Korean guide, Ko Chang Ho. EDITOR'S NOTE: This image was not among those deleted by North Korean officials.
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North Korea's state-run KCNA slammed the joint military exercises Monday, saying that the drills are "nothing but a smokescreen" by the United States and South Korea "to cover up their surprise invasion of the north."
"The situation on the Korean peninsula is again inching close to the brink of a war," KCNA said, noting that North Korea's military "will never remain a passive onlooker in this grave situation."
North Korea was informed on February 24 when the joint drills would be held, said Kim Min-seok, the South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman.
"North Korea in the past did fire (projectiles) in a very similar manner," he said during a briefing Monday. "On several occasions, they fired (projectiles) from the west coast to sea off east of the Korean Peninsula."
He added that North Korea fired about 90 ballistic missiles and rockets during last year's Foal Eagle and Key Resolve drill.
"Our military is strictly warning North Korean military of the reckless and the provocative act. We will firmly and strongly respond to any North Korea's provocation through solid united defense posture," South Korea's Kim said.
