North Korea fired short-range ballistic missiles for the second time this week

(Patria) - North Korea fired a projectile from its east coast this morning, South Korea and Japan said, days after it showcased a uranium enrichment facility and promised to bolster its nuclear arsenal, Reuters reported.

Japan's Ministry of Defense said North Korea used a ballistic missile, and the Japanese coast guard said the projectile had already fallen.

The missile was launched from its east coast, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the South Korean military.

The Japanese coast guard, about thirty minutes after the first missile alert, said North Korea had fired another ballistic missile.

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles last Thursday, its first such launch in more than two months, which it later described as a test of a new 600mm caliber missile system.

The latest launch came days after the country showcased centrifuges producing fuel for nuclear bombs for the first time, as Kim Jong Un visited a uranium enrichment facility and called for more weapons materials to strengthen the arsenal.