North Korea fired around 10 short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its eastern coast on Thursday, South Korea's military said, amid escalating tensions between the two Koreas over a border dispute and growing uncertainty surrounding potential nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington.

The missiles were launched at around 12:30 p.m. local time (0330 GMT) from an area near the eastern coastal city of Wonsan, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

South Korea's military said it was strengthening surveillance and maintaining a heightened state of readiness against possible additional launches, while closely coordinating information with the United States and Japan.

Japan's Defense Ministry said the missiles fell outside Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency.

The launch marks North Korea's latest missile test this year, with Pyongyang having conducted more than 10 rounds of missile launches. Its previous reported launch took place on October 12, when it fired several short-range ballistic missiles.

The latest test comes as relations between Seoul and Pyongyang remain strained over a dispute along their heavily militarised border, raising concerns about the possibility of further military confrontations on the Korean Peninsula.

Tensions intensified after three South Korean soldiers were wounded on September 21 when landmines exploded in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which separates the two countries.

A joint investigation by South Korea and the United Nations concluded earlier this month that North Korea had planted the mines south of the military demarcation line more than a year ago.

Pyongyang has denied responsibility and warned that it would retaliate if provoked.

Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, condemned Seoul's demands for an apology as “despicable” and rejected South Korea's offer of medical equipment.

North Korea also announced plans last week to resume propaganda broadcasts along the border and deploy additional weapons systems in the area, further raising concerns about the risk of military escalation.

In response, South Korea proposed talks aimed at clarifying the border situation and preventing accidental military clashes. Pyongyang has yet to respond to the proposal.

The latest missile launch is likely to add to regional security concerns as both Koreas remain locked in a prolonged confrontation marked by military deployments, weapons development and competing security demands.

The latest developments also come amid renewed speculation about potential nuclear negotiations between North Korea and the United States following recent overtures by US President Donald Trump toward Pyongyang.

Trump's statements suggesting the possibility of meeting Kim Jong Un have raised questions about whether Washington could pursue direct negotiations with North Korea while leaving South Korea with a limited role in discussions affecting its own security.

Seoul remains a key US ally and an important participant in efforts to address North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes. However, Trump's approach has fuelled uncertainty over how any future negotiations might be structured and what role South Korea would play.

North Korea's October 12 missile launch came a day after Trump suggested he might meet Kim before the end of the year.

Any renewed diplomatic engagement would face longstanding obstacles, including disagreements over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, sanctions and the security arrangements governing the Korean Peninsula.

For now, Thursday's missile launches underscore the continuing military tensions in the region as diplomatic prospects remain uncertain and Seoul maintains heightened vigilance against further provocations. (ILKHA)