SEOUL — North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast on Thursday, in its first significant provocation against the United States under President Biden, officials said. South Korea confirmed that North Korea had launched two short-range missiles, adding that they were most likely ballistic missiles. A senior United States official also confirmed that the projectiles were ballistic missiles. The ballistic missile test, the first by North Korea in a year, indicated that the country was once again resorting to a show of force, raising tensions to gain leverage as the Biden administration finalizes its review of Washington’s North Korea policy. Mr. Suga noted that the United Nations Security Council had barred North Korea from developing ballistic missile technologies, including tests like the one on Thursday.

Source: International New York Times March 24, 2021 06:48 UTC