The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) launched four short-range missiles into the sea from its eastern coast on July 2.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Yonhap news agency quoted RoK military sources as saying that at least two of the missiles were ground-to-ship.

Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso condemned the exercise, saying it is “a provocative act”.

The DPRK has many times warned of its plan to strengthen its defensive power in response to the United Nations Security Council’s resolution to tighten sanctions on its nuclear testing.

Since early June, the DPRK has four times issued a warning prohibiting sea-traffic in some areas off its eastern coast, in anticipation of its planned missile tests./.