North Korea says it test-fired missiles from the country's southwest. A commander reportedly pledged that its troops will "annihilate the enemy" if fighting breaks out.

The move came as the militaries of the United States and South Korea hold joint drills.

The ruling Workers' Party's newspaper Rodong Sinmun reported on Wednesday that two ground-to-ground ballistic missiles were fired from the southwestern province of South Hwanghae on Tuesday for training purposes.

The paper carried photos of missiles rising from mobile launchers. It said the missiles hit a targeted island off the coast of North Hamgyong Province in the country's northeast, located 611 kilometers away from the fired spot.

South Korea's military said the North fired on Tuesday morning two short-range ballistic missiles toward the sea off its east coast. The North Korean paper's report is believed to be referring to these missiles.

The commander of the North Korean missile unit also reportedly resolved to thoroughly have the ability to fully carry out its duty of fire assault at any time.

The US and South Korean militaries are due to continue their Freedom Shield exercises through March 23.