North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles eastward from the Sinpo area around 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, traveling about 140 km before splashing down in the Sea of Japan.

The South Korean military tracked the launches amid Pyongyang’s push to demonstrate missile progress and reject South Korean and U.S. de-escalation offers.

Washington and Seoul view these as regional security threats, while North Korea insists on its self-defense rights despite nuclear talks.