NORTH Korea launched short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters on Tuesday, according to its neighbours, as the North heightens animosities with rival South Korea ahead of a major political meeting. South Korea’s military said it detected lift-offs of several ballistic missiles from an area north-east of the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, before the missiles each flew about 350 kilometres (217 miles). Japan’s Defence Ministry said two ballistic missiles launched from North Korea landed off the eastern coast of the Korean Peninsula. The Ministry condemned the launches as a threat to the peace of Japan, the region and the international community. South Korea’s military said it maintains a firm readiness to repel any provocations by North Korea. The launches were the first time North Korea fired weapons since testing what it called hypersonic missiles in early January. In December, the country test-fired what it called long-range, strategic cruise missiles and new anti-air missiles and released photos showing the apparent construction of its first nuclear-powered submarine. North Korea has engaged in a run of weapons launches to enlarge its nuclear and missile arsenals since talks with the US. And South Korea stalled in 2019. Experts say the North’s leader, Kim Jong Un, believes a bigger weapons arsenal would give him greater leverage to win concessions from the US.