South Korean media say the cruise missiles North Korea fired early Saturday may have been "Hwasal" strategic cruise missiles.

The South's Joint Chiefs of Staff announced Pyongyang launched multiple cruise missiles from around 4 a.m. local time into the Yellow Sea, west of the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean and US militaries are conducting a detailed analysis.

The Yonhap News Agency reported that North Korea may have fired "Hwasal" strategic cruise missiles, possibly to show off its ability to stage nuclear attacks on South Korea and US military bases in Japan.

In March, the North announced it had test-fired "Hwasal" missiles as part of its attempt to develop various types of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

North Korea has been reacting sharply to Tuesday's first port call in the South in 42 years by a US nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying ballistic missiles equipped with nuclear warheads. Washington and Seoul also held the inaugural meeting of the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group on the same day.

Pyongyang is apparently stepping up its confrontational stance toward Washington and Seoul as it prepares to mark the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Korean War Armistice on July 27. Pyongyang sees the day as an occasion to celebrate what it calls its victory over the US.