North Korea fired a short-range surface-to-air missile into the East Sea on Friday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff said.

It is the latest in a string of verbal and security provocations by Pyongyang as world leaders including those from U.S., China, Japan and South Korea are gathered in Washington for antinuclear talks.

“North Korea fired one short-range land-to-air missile into the East Sea from Seondeok of South Hamgyeong Province at around 12:45 p.m.,” the JCS said in a statement. Seondeok, located 60 kilometers north of Wonsan, is where North Korean Air Force’s airfield is located.

The projectile is speculated to have flown some 100 kilometers. Military officials speaking on customary anonymity said they are analyzing the trajectory which they believe to be a ballistic missile.

The military is also in a readiness posture and monitoring any related movements from across the border, they said.

The launch came just three days after it fired a short-range missile on Tuesday, which took off at around 5:40 p.m. and flew some 200 kilometers toward northeastern inland areas.

The North fired two short-range Scud missiles on March 10, and another two medium-range ballistic missiles on March 18. The communist state has also been unleashing threats against the South Korean administration including an attack against Cheong Wa Dae, as international communities have imposed the strongest-ever sanctions against its nuclear and long-range rocket tests.

(khnews@heraldcorp.com)