North Korea has fired several ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan, raising tensions with South Korea amid renewed friction between the two countries. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were launched from the Pyongyang area toay, with some travelling more than 900 kilometres. Japan’s Defence Ministry also confirmed the launch of at least one suspected ballistic missile. South Korea and the United States are analysing the specifications of the missiles, while Seoul has heightened military surveillance and convened an emergency security meeting to assess its defence readiness. The launch comes amid escalating tensions following a landmine explosion in the Demilitarised Zone, which injured three South Korean soldiers. A joint Seoul-United Nations investigation attributed the landmines to North Korea, which has denied responsibility. The latest development follows a series of missile tests by both countries as tensions continue to strain relations on the Korean Peninsula. North and South Korea technically remain at war, as their 1953 conflict ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.