North Korea test-fired 18 rockets into the sea, South Korea’s defense ministry said on Sunday.

North Korea test-fired 18 rockets into the sea, South Korea's defense ministry said on Sunday.

The rockets were fired off the North's east coast and flew about 70 kilometers (42 miles) over the Sea of Japan (East Sea), a ministry spokesman said.
The ministry said 10 rockets were fired at 6:20 pm (0920 GMT), and eight more at 8.03 pm.

Seoul's military "has maintained a close watch for possible North Korean provocations", the spokesman said.

Yonhap news agency earlier reported that 10 short-range missiles were fired.
The activity coincides with annual South Korean-US military exercises that started in February and will run until mid-April.

Pyongyang condemns such war games as rehearsals for an invasion, while Seoul and Washington say they are “purely defensive.”

"We urge North Korea to stop provocative activities that will heighten military tension across the border," the spokesman said.

The North has defended its missile and rocket tests as justifiable self-defense drills.