North Korea fires two ballistic missiles toward East Sea

North Korea test fires a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile at Pyongyang International Airport on Nov. 18. [YONHAP]

North Korea fired two ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Sunday morning, according to South Korean defense officials.

The launches are being analyzed to determine trajectories, altitude and speed.

Sunday's launches are the first by the North since it conducted a test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) last month, which military officials and analysts believe was successful.

The latest ballistic missile launches came following a United Nations General Assembly resolution Thursday condemning human rights violations by the North.

The launches also followed Japan's announcement that it would move to acquire "counterstrike" capabilities, or the ability to hit enemy bases with long-range missiles, as part of sweeping new changes to its national security strategy.

North Korea has fired 65 ballistic missiles so far this year.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]