South Korea’s military reported that North Korea launched multiple unidentified ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Sunday, local time around 6:10 a.m. The missiles were fired from the Sinpo area, marking the latest in a series of weapons tests by the nuclear-armed state. In response, South Korea’s presidential office decided to convene an emergency security meeting, while surveillance and alert levels were heightened amid concerns of further launches.

According to AFP, Pyongyang has recently conducted several weapons tests, including ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles as well as cluster munitions. Analysts view the latest launch as a signal of North Korea’s rejection of Seoul’s efforts to improve strained relations. Earlier this year, Seoul had expressed regret over a drone intrusion into North Korea, which was initially welcomed by Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong. However, Pyongyang later labeled South Korea its “most hostile state.”

The report also notes that North Korea continues to defy UN sanctions restricting its nuclear and missile programs. Recent satellite imagery cited by a South Korean lawmaker suggests Pyongyang is accelerating naval modernization with possible Russian military assistance.