North Korea fired short-range missiles into sea–Seoul

In this photo released by the South Korean Unification Ministry, South Korean delegates, right, shake hands with their North Korean counterparts during a meeting at the border village of Panumjom, South Korea, Friday, Feb. 14, 2014. The rival Koreas sat down Friday for a second round of talks this week at a border village as the North’s calls for a delay of annual South Korea-U.S. military drills threaten plans for the resumption of emotional reunions of war-divided families. AP/South Korean Unification Ministry

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea says North Korea has fired four suspected short-range missiles into its eastern waters.

A Defense Ministry official said North Korea fired four projectiles believed to be short-range missiles with a range of more than 200 kilometers (about 125 miles) into the waters off its east coast. The official spoke anonymously citing department rules.

North Korea routinely conducts short-range missile tests but Thursday’s launch came three days after South Korea and the U.S. began their annual military drills which Pyongyang calls a rehearsal for invasion. North Korea has recently eased tension by taking a series of conciliatory gestures toward South Korea.