South Korea says North launched third round of cruise missiles

South Korea said Tuesday that North Korea launched cruise missiles for the third time this month.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said it and the American military were evaluating launches detected around 7 a.m., according to The Associated Press. They did not immediately give more information like the number of missiles fired or the distance they traveled.

The most recent launch comes after North Korea’s two earlier tests, on Wednesday and Sunday, of the Pulhwasal-3-31 cruise missile, which it says is intended to be fired from submarines.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un restated his aim of creating a nuclear-armed navy to push back against what he said are increasing outside threats in the wake of the second launch. North Korea also said earlier this month that it tested a new solid-fuel intermediate-range missile.

In November, North Korea said it successfully launched the Malligyong-1 satellite, claiming it photographed the Pentagon, the White House, as well as Naval Station Norfolk and Newport News Dockyard in Virginia. After the launch, the North Korean leader held a celebration, according to the state-run Pyongyang Times.

At the time of the satellite launch, the White House said it “strongly condemns” it. It also said the launch violated United Nations Security Council resolutions prohibiting North Korea from using ballistic missile technology.

“The president and his national security team are assessing the situation in close coordination with our allies and partners,” the Biden administration said in a statement. “We urge all countries to condemn this launch and call on [North Korea] to come to the table for serious negotiations.”