North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Sunday morning, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff. The missiles were detected around 7:50 a.m. from North Korea's capital region and fired in the direction of the country's eastern coastline. Japan's defense ministry also confirmed the suspected launches, though no damages have been reported.

The launches came just hours before South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung departed for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The missile launches represent North Korea's continued advancement of its weapons program at a diplomatically sensitive time. The demonstration signals Pyongyang's intentions ahead of its first Workers' Party congress in five........

© Newsweek Asia