North Korea fires five short-range projectiles

SEOUL, March 21 (UPI) -- North Korea fired five short-range projectiles into the waters off the eastern coast of the peninsula.

Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the objects were launched between 3:19 p.m. and 4:15 p.m., local time, South Korean news website Money Today reported.

The projectiles were fired from the North Korean city of Hamhung, in South Hamgyong Province, located about 170 miles from Seoul, the South Korean capital.

The provocations come less than a week after the North launched what Seoul has described as ballistic missiles. Last week the South's joint chiefs said at least one missile flew about 500 miles before it fell into the water, and that a second missile disappeared from the radar at an altitude of 11 miles before possibly detonating in mid-air.

The missile launched Friday was fired from Sukchon County in South Pyongan Province in western North Korea, and the object traveled across the territory before it disappeared in the East Sea, or the Sea of Japan.

The objects that were launched Monday traveled about 120 miles and judging by the distance they are likely to have been fired from 300-mm multiple-rocket launchers, Seoul said.

"Our military is maintaining full preparedness while closely monitoring the situation," the joint chiefs said.

The continued provocations come at a time when the United States and South Korea are conducting the largest joint drill in history, with 300,000 South Korean troops and 17,000 U.S. soldiers.

CNN reported the North has frequently fired projectiles and that in 2014 Pyongyang fired 90 ballistic missiles.