The South Korean military says North Korea fired several cruise missiles from waters off its east coast on Sunday morning.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the launch was done in waters off Sinpho in eastern North Korea at around 8 a.m.

The latest firing of cruise missiles follows one last Wednesday. The following day, Pyongyang said it had conducted a test-launch of a new type of strategic cruise missile.

North Korea has repeatedly test-fired cruise missiles since last year. They are designed to carry a tactical nuclear warhead and are said to be capable of flying at low altitudes for long periods.

In March last year, the North said it test-fired cruise missiles from a submarine.

Pyongyang says in its 5-year defense plan, announced in 2021, that it would develop medium- and long-range cruise missiles.

Observers say the weapons are intended for use in the event of contingencies on the Korean Peninsula, with potential targets being South Korean and US military bases, including US facilities located in Japan.

A commentary on Sunday by the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency condemned military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea so far this year.

It warned both countries that if the fuse of war is ignited, they will become a target of conquest.