North Korea fired two ballistic missiles Wednesday morning local time, U.S. and South Korean authorities said.
U.S. Strategic Command issued a statement saying it detected what it believes was the simultaneous launch of two presumed No Dong intermediate range ballistic missiles.
The missiles were fired from the western city of Hwangju in the country's North Hwanghae province, STRATCOM said, adding one exploded after launch and the other was tracked over North Korea and into the Sea of Japan.
However, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from an area in North Korea's South Hwanghae province, some 37 to 43 miles (60 to 70 km) from Hwangju.
The missile that did not explode flew about 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) across the peninsula into the sea in the east.
An official with the South Korean Defense Ministry told CNN that it is assumed a Rodong missile -- a different spelling of the No Dong missile -- was fired.
"North Korea, by firing of ballistic missile which can equip nuclear warhead, is openly showing its direct and obvious intention of provocation and ambition that it can target our country, including our ports and airports, as well as neighbor countries," the official said.
North Korea is prohibited from carrying out such missile launches under a March U.N. Security Council resolution.
"North Korea, whose provocative acts are threatening the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the international community, will be faced with more powerful and thorough sanctions and pressure from the international community and our country."
On July 19, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles off its eastern coast.
Those were believed to be short-range, Scud or Rodong type and flew 300 to 380 miles (500 to 600 kilometers), said Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesman for the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff.
North Korean state media said Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, personally "provided field guidance" for that drill.
Missile tests have become more frequent under Kim Jong Un's reign. The more tests the reclusive nation carries out, the more it can fix its mistakes, refining and improving its missile technology, experts say.
The South Korean defense official said North Korea has launched more than 30 missiles since Kim took power.
Though the country has continued to improve its nuclear and missile capabilities, it has yet to successfully pair the two.
Last month, South Korea announced it will deploy the advanced U.S THAAD missile defense system in Seongju County, about 155 miles (250 kilometers) southeast of Seoul.
What is THAAD?
When active, the system should be able to defend two-thirds of South Korea from an attack by its northern neighbor.
North Korea's military viewed the THAAD deployment as a provocation and said the United States and South Korea would "suffer from the nightmare extreme uneasiness and terror" in response.
By: K.J. Kwon and Joshua Berlinger (CNN).
By: K.J. Kwon and Joshua Berlinger (CNN).
Contributing: Ben Westcott, Andreena Narayan and Paula Hancocks (CNN).
Photo 1: CNBC.
Photo 2: Straits Times.
Review: Emerging Market Formulations & Research Unit, FLAGSHIP RECORDS.
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