People watch a documentary about a North Korean ballistic missile launch broadcast on television, at Seoul Railway Station, South Korea, May 7, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the three missiles were fired in less than an hour from the Sunan area of Pyongyang, where North Korea’s international airport has become a hub of missile tests.

Meanwhile, Japan's coast guard warned of the possibility of more ballistic missile launches from North Korea, and asked ships to steer clear of objects falling into the water. Japanese broadcaster NHK said the three missiles fired on Wednesday appear to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said Tokyo is currently gathering information on Pyongyang's moves.

This was North Korea's 17th launch since the beginning of the year, but further details are not yet available.