North Korea launched “multiple unidentified ballistic missiles” toward the Yellow Sea on Monday afternoon, according to the South Korean military, hours after the U.S. and ROK kicked off large-scale springtime joint exercises.

DPRK forces launched the missiles from an inland area of Hwanghae Province at around 1:50 p.m., Seoul’s Joint Chiefs of Staff stated. 

“Our military has strengthened surveillance and vigilance, and is maintaining a thorough readiness posture while closely coordinating with the U.S.,” it added.

A JCS official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said later in the day that North Korea had likely fired close-range ballistic missiles (CRBM). The