North Korea has launched two ballistic missiles 310 miles towards Japan in the space of 50 minutes.

The test launches from its northwest Tongchangri region on Sunday, as reported by South Korea's military, come two days after the secretive state claimed to have performed a breakthrough test.

Pyongyang said it can now build a more mobile, powerful intercontinental ballistic missile capable of striking the U.S. mainland.

READ MORE: ' Vultures circling Putin' as despot faces 'coup' from once-loyal henchmen

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the missiles were fired about 50 minutes apart from one another, but no other information was provided, such as precisely what type of weapons North Korea fired.

Japanese officials said the two missiles fell in the waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan and that no damage to ships or human injuries have been reported.

Japanese Vice Defense Minister Toshiro Ino told reporters that both missiles flew a distance of 310 miles at a maximum altitude 340 miles.

He criticized North Korea for threatening the safety of Japan, the region and the international community.

• 

  Brit woman dies after Tenerife hit-and-run as cops launch hunt for driver

The test, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un, was conducted on Thursday at North Korea's Sohae Satellite Launching Ground which has been used to test missile technologies, including rocket engines and space launch vehicles, the official KCNA news agency reported on Friday.

North Korea has conducted an unprecedented number of missile tests this year, including an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland, despite international bans and sanctions.

North Korea has defended its weapons testing as self-defence measures to cope with the expanded US-South Korea military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal.

• 

  'I lost my arms and legs in horror 14,000 volt electrocution that killed my colleagues'

In reaction to North Korea’s testing activities, the South Korean and U.S. militaries have expanded their regular drills and resumed trilateral trainings with Japan.

Frighteningly, the exact status of North Korea’s nuclear attack capability remains in secrecy.

Some experts speculate North Korea already has functioning nuclear-tipped missiles that can hit the entire U.S. and its allies. But others say the country is still years away from acquiring such weapons

To get more stories from the Daily Star delivered straight to your inbox sign up to one of our free newsletters here .

READ MORE:

• Child in hospital after eating psychoactive weed in spinach causing hallucinations
• Man dies trying to break into his own apartment after leaving his keys inside
• Hot police woman dons 'legendary' lap dance skirt on anniversary of viral video

Source: Read Full Article