North Korea launches 3 short-range ballistic missiles

North Korea fired several rockets into the sea Saturday in the continuation of its rapid nuclear and missile expansion, prompting South Korea to press ahead with military drills involving US troops that have angered Pyongyang.

North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency said Saturday that leader Kim Jong-un led a simulation drill on taking over South Korea's northernmost islands of Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong.

The missile launches come as tens of thousands of South Korean and USA troops take part in joint military drills in the South, which Pyongyang views as a highly provocative rehearsal for an invasion of its own territory. South Korean President Moon Jae-in emphasized that same day that the USA would not take any military action on the Korean peninsula without Seoul's consent.

North Korea has conducted a series of ballistic missile tests this year.

Experts said the projectiles are believed to be Scud-type ballistic missiles with a range of 300km or newly developed longer-range ones.

Earlier this month, North Korea reportedly contemplated launching a missile strike against the US Pacific territory of Guam.

"The question remains, why is North Korea so afraid of dialogue in favour of conflict", Mr Brownlee says.

"The three launches occurred near Kittaeryong, North Korea". "We continue to monitor North Korea's actions closely".

Earlier on August 5 the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution imposing new sanctions against the rogue nation.

I have a feeling the chief of staff, chief strategist, press secretary, and two communications directors who have departed Trump's White House would not disagree.

Kim says North Korea's large-sized artillery rockets blur the boundaries between artillery systems and ballistic missiles because they create their own thrust and are guided during delivery. Presidential spokesman Yoon Young-chan told reporters that officials "reviewed the defense posture" of South Korean troops.