North Korea fires two ballistic missiles near Japan

North Korea has fired two ballistic missiles, the Japanese government said.

The missiles were launched between 1.20am and 1.30am local time from somewhere near Kaesong in southwestern North Korea.

They flew about 500 km (310 miles) before splashing into waters separating Japan and the Korean peninsula, Japan's Defence Ministry said.

There were no damages or casualties from the firing but Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said: "This is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions."