North Korea fires two more projectiles into sea: South

North Korea has reportedly fired two more projectiles into the sea, the latest launch as Pyongyang pushes back against military drills between the U.S. and South Korea.

South Korea’s military said North Korea had fired two unidentified projectiles off its east coast Saturday local time, South Korea’s Yonhap News agency reported.

“Our military is monitoring the situation in case of additional launches while maintaining a readiness posture,” the Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a release to the paper.

{mosads}The reported launch would make it the fifth launch in a little more than two weeks from North Korea.

“We are aware of reports, and continue to monitor the situation,” a Pentagon spokesperson told The Hill, adding that U.S. officials “are consulting closely with our South Korean and Japanese allies.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Hill.

Saturday’s launch comes just four days after the most recent firing of what are believed to be two short-range ballistic missiles. 

President Trump said Friday that he received a “great” letter from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in which the North Korean leader said he “wasn’t happy” about the military drills, which began Monday and will go on for three weeks. North Korea views drills as practice for an invasion.

Trump has appeared unfazed by the recent launches, calling Kim a “friend” and adding that while the tests may violate United Nations resolutions, his personal relationship with the North Korean leader could prevent further escalations.

“Chariman [sic] Kim has a great and beautiful vision for his country, and only the United States, with me as President, can make that vision come true,” Trump tweeted. “He will do the right thing because he is far too smart not to, and he does not want to disappoint his friend, President Trump!”

Trump and Kim have held two nuclear summits, with the second in Vietnam ending early after talks broke down.

But Trump said after reading the letter that he thinks the two will meet for a third time.