Seoul, 19 July 2023 (dpa/MIA) - North Korea fired what appeared to be two ballistic missiles, the South Korean military said on Wednesday.

According to the general staff in Seoul, the missiles flew towards the sea between the Korean peninsula and Japan in the early hours of Wednesday, the Yonhap news agency reported.

The military said it is still analysing the launch to find out what type of missiles were fired.

The launches come shortly after a US nuclear submarine arrived in the area. Washington and Seoul have reportedly started a new security dialogue.

Only last week, the self-proclaimed nuclear power North Korea tested a new type of long-range solid-fuel rocket, according to Pyongyang's leadership.

UN resolutions prohibit the internationally isolated country from testing ballistic missiles of any range. Depending on their design, such missiles can also be equipped with a nuclear warhead.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have recently increased significantly. After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, North Korea has again tested nuclear-capable missiles several times this year.