South Korea on Wednesday said North Korea had fired two cruise missiles in a new weapons test.

The Ministry of Defence said in Seoul that two suspected guided missiles flew in the direction of the Yellow Sea.

How far the projectiles flew was initially unclear.

UN resolutions prohibited North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, which, depending on the design, can also carry nuclear warheads.

Tests of cruise missiles, however, were not subject to sanctions against the largely isolated country.

Unlike ballistic missiles, cruise missiles have their own permanent propulsion system.

North Korea has already tested missiles several times this year.

The country’s ballistic missile test had increased tensions in the region since the start of the year.

Pyongyang was subjected to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons programme.

However, the U.S. and South Korea also fear that North Korea could carry out a new nuclear weapons test anytime. 

(dpa/NAN)