North Korea launches short-range missiles

North Korea fired two short-range missiles Thursday in its second weapons launch in less than a week. The two weapons flew 260 miles and 167 miles, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff. South Korea is working with U.S. officials to uncover more details about the launch.

On Saturday, North Korea fired several unidentified short-range missiles into the sea off its eastern coast. The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday the weekend launch was regular military training that “neither targeted anyone nor led to an aggravation of the situation in the region.”

Experts predict the North may increase such activity in an attempt to pressure the United States into reducing sanctions after a failed summit with President Donald Trump in February. U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun is in South Korea to discuss the stalled negotiations.

Hours before the missile launch, the United States seized a North Korean cargo ship used to supply coal to the nation in violation of international sanctions.

WORLD Digital has updated this report to include information about a U.S. seizure of a North Korean cargo ship.