North Korea fires ballistic missiles

North Korea fired what appeared to be multiple short-range ballistic missiles Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, a week before a key Asia-Pacific leaders’ meeting in South Korea.

- REUTERS

Itwas the first launch of ballistic missiles since May by Pyongyang, which has defied a United Nations Security Council ban on the weapons.

It was also the first such launch since Lee Jae Myung was elected president in South Korea, with a platform of engagement with North Korea.

Lee and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet in South Korea next week ata summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Trump is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.

South Korea detected several projectiles believed to be short-range ballistic missiles fired from an area near North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, in a northeasterly direction early Wednesday, its Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.