‘‘Deep concern’ as North Korea test fires new round of missiles

North Korea yesterday test-fired its first ballistic missiles since President Joe Biden took office, as it expands its military capabilities and increases pressure on Washington while nuclear negotiations remain stalled.

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the launches threaten ‘‘peace and safety in Japan and the region,’’ and that Tokyo will closely co-ordinate with Washington and Seoul on the North’s testing activities.

Officials at an emergency National Security Council meeting in Seoul expressed ‘‘deep concern’’ that the North conducted missile launches while the Biden administration is looking to complete a policy review on North Korea.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the two short-range missiles were fired at around 7.06am and 7.25am local time from an area on the North’s eastern coast and flew 450km to an apogee of 60km before landing in the sea. It said South Korea’s military has stepped up monitoring in case of ‘‘further provocations’’ from the North.

US Indo-Pacific Command spokesperson Captain Mike Kafka said the US military was aware of the missiles and was monitoring the situation while closely consulting with allies.

Another senior US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military observations, matched the information from South Korea’s military, saying that initial assessments suggest the North fired two short-range ballistic missiles.

‘‘This activity highlights the threat that North Korea’s illicit weapons program poses to its neighbours and the international community,’’ Kafka said.

The launches came a day after US and South Korean officials said the North fired short-range weapons presumed to be cruise missiles into its western sea over the weekend.

North Korea has a history of testing new US administrations with missile launches and other provocations aimed at forcing the Americans back to the negotiating table.

Still, yesterday’s launches were a measured provocation compared to the nuclear and intercontinental missile tests in 2017 that inspired war fears before the North shifted toward diplomacy with the Trump administration in 2018.

Analysts say that the North would gradually dial up its weapons displays to increase its bargaining power as it angles to get back into stalled talks aimed at leveraging nuclear weapons for badly needed economic benefits.