Japanese government sources say North Korea launched three ballistic missiles on Thursday evening.

They say North Korea fired the missiles eastward from an inland area between about 9:30 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. They also say the missiles appear to have fallen outside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

The Japanese government sources say the missiles are estimated to have flown 500 kilometers at a maximum altitude of roughly 150 kilometers.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff also say North Korea launched three short-range ballistic missiles on Thursday evening.

They say North Korea fired the missiles from an area in or near Koksan in North Hwanghae Province from around 9:35 p.m. to 9:49 p.m.