North Korea fires suspected ballistic missiles, South Korea and Japan say

South Korea and Japan said North Korea fired at least two suspected ballistic missiles on Thursday, the latest in a series of launches by the isolated country.

The launches come days after North Korea threatened to take "stronger and more explicit" action against South Korea and the United States, which are conducting joint military exercises.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that it detected two short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Sunan area of Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, at around 7:00 am local time (2200 GMT Wednesday).

The missiles flew about 350 kilometers (217 miles) at an altitude of about 50 kilometers (31 miles), the statement said.

Japan's Defense Ministry also said it detected two ballistic missiles fired from North Korea at around the same time.

The launches are the latest in a series of missile tests by North Korea this year. In January, the country fired a Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile, its largest missile test since 2017.

North Korea has been developing its nuclear and missile programs in defiance of international sanctions and resolutions. The country has conducted several nuclear tests and is believed to be working on a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile that could reach the United States.

The United States and its allies have condemned North Korea's missile tests and called on the country to abandon its nuclear and missile programs.

The launches come as tensions between North Korea and the United States are high. The two countries have been engaged in a war of words over the past few months, with the United States accusing North Korea of preparing for a nuclear test.

The launches are also a reminder of the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs. The country has a large nuclear arsenal and is believed to be developing new and more powerful missiles.

The United States and its allies are working to deter North Korea from using its nuclear weapons. The United States has deployed a number of military assets to the region, including aircraft carriers, bombers, and submarines.

The United States is also working with its allies to increase pressure on North Korea. The United States and South Korea have imposed new sanctions on North Korea, and the United States has been urging other countries to do the same.

The United States and its allies are also working to strengthen their defenses against North Korea. The United States is deploying a new missile defense system to South Korea, and the United States and Japan are working to improve their cooperation on missile defense.