South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities are reviewing the releases for additional information.
The South Korean military said it has stepped up its surveillance and surveillance of North Korea while working closely with the U.S. to maintain its defensive readiness.
The Japanese Coast Guard said it believes the two missiles were fired five minutes apart, at 12:38 and 12:43 local time (23:38 and 23:43 ET).
Japan’s Defense Ministry said North Korean projectiles are believed to have fallen into waters outside its exclusive economic zone.
North Korea is banned from testing ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons under international law. These previous tests have met with international disapproval and sanctions from the United Nations Security Council.
Cruise missiles are powered by jet engines. Like an airplane, they stay closer to the ground, making them harder to spot. Most cruise missiles are not designed to carry nuclear warheads.
In comparison, ballistic missiles only operate for a brief part of their flight. They are shot down an arc path that for larger versions takes them out of the Earth’s atmosphere and can withstand heavier payloads, such as nuclear warheads.