South Korea says North Korea test-fired another missile

North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters early Monday, South Korea’s military said — the latest provocation by the Hermit Kingdom as the US is set to send an aircraft carrier strike group to South Korea this week.

The missiles were fired from North Hwanghae province at 7:47 a.m. and traveled about 230 miles, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs Staff (JCS). Both weapons reached outside of the Japanese exclusive economic zone, Japan’s government said.

The latest missile test by the Kim Jong Un-led country was “strongly condemned” by South Korea and labeled a grave provocation that violated United Nations Security Council resolutions. The JCS vowed to continue planned military drills with the US in the face of the North’s missile tests.

“We will keep a close eye on North Korea’s various activities and maintain firm readiness posture based on the capability to overwhelmingly respond to any provocations,” the JCS said in a statement.

The Japanese government also blasted North Korea, insisting the missile launches threaten the safety and peace of its people, the region and rest of the international community.

North Korea’s latest move came as the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and ships from its accompanying strike group are supposed to dock at a South Korean naval base Tuesday.

Before it arrives, the carrier was to stage joint maritime exercises with South Korean soldiers Monday off the Korean peninsula’s south coast, South Korea’s defense ministry said. The US carrier’s presence is part of efforts to have more American “strategic assets” in the area to deter North Korea, the ministry added.

The carrier’s expected visit would be the first time since the USS Ronald Reagan came in September.

North Korea’s latest missile launches are part of recent military tests over the last few weeks, including firing off multiple cruise missiles on Wednesday that Pyongyang said was aimed at drilling for tactical nuclear attacks.

North Korea, which claims exercises by the US and Seoul are in preparation to invade its reclusive country, said it tested a new nuclear-capable underwater attack drone Friday.

With Post wires