(LEAD) N. Korea fires multiple ballistic missiles toward East Sea: JCS

North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward the East Sea on Monday, according to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS). The missile traveled over 900 kilometers after being detected near Pyongyang at around 9:20 a.m. local time. In response, the South Korean military has increased surveillance and maintained high readiness levels, sharing information with the United States and Japan.

This comes less than two weeks after North Korea reportedly tested a hypersonic ballistic missile. North Korea's state media claimed the latest test was part of training for its missile troops operating hypersonic strategic weapons. The launch also occurred shortly after South Korea conducted its first test of a hypersonic glide vehicle, seen as a show of force against North Korea following a land mine explosion near the border last month.

Tensions have escalated since the Sept. 21 incident, which injured three South Korean soldiers, two critically. North Korea has denied responsibility for the blast, accusing Seoul of fabricating evidence and threatening "immediate and merciless" retaliation if the South takes countermeasures.