N Korea test-fires four missiles to coincide with S. Korea-US joint military exercises

North Korea has test-fired four short-range missiles into the sea~

The move from the highly secretive country is an apparent show of force to coincide with South Korea-US joint military exercises, Seoul's defence ministry said.

According to news.com.au, a ministry spokesman said the missiles were fired off the east coast of North Korea.

North Korea carries out short-range missile tests on a fairly routine basis.

The South Korea-US drills kicked off on Monday, despite vocal opposition from Pyongyang, which views them as rehearsals for invasion, the report added.