Manila: North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles toward the Yellow Sea on Monday, coinciding with the commencement of annual military drills by South Korea and the United States, according to South Korean officials. This missile test marks North Korea's first known ballistic missile launch since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) detected the missile launch from the inner land of North Korea's Hwanghae Province at around 1:50 p.m. However, they have not disclosed further details regarding the missile test. In response, the JCS has enhanced surveillance measures and maintained a state of full readiness in close cooperation with the United States.

The joint military exercise, named Freedom Shield, commenced on Monday and is scheduled to run for 11 days. These annual drills have been a point of contention, with North Korea consistently denouncing them as rehearsals for invasion. Historically, North Korea has conducted weapons tests as a form of protest against these exercises.

In response to the joint drills, North Korea released statements condemning the actions of Seoul and Washington, warning that both nations will face severe consequences for what it termed as a "dangerous provocative act."