North Korea fired four ballistic missiles Monday, three of which landed in Japanese waters, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

"North Korea today fired four ballistic missiles almost simultaneously and they flew some 1,000 kilometers," Abe said in parliament. "Three of them landed in our country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)."

Japanese officials described the launches as a grave threat and said they lodged "strong protests" with nuclear-armed North Korea.

"The launches are clearly in violation of Security Council resolutions. It is an extremely dangerous action," Abe said during lawmaker questions in parliament.

The South Korean military officials said "multiple ballistic missiles" were launched from the Tongchang-ri region near the North's border with China. They did not specify the number of missiles.

The move comes as South Korea and the United States are holding their joint military exercises, which Pyongyang sees as preparations for an invasion. The exercises usually draw condemnation and retribution from Pyongyang.

During last year's drills, North Korea fired multiple short to medium range missiles and announced it could place nuclear warheads on its weapons.

日本首相安倍晉三說，朝鮮發射了四枚彈道導彈，其中三枚落在日本水域。

安倍對日本議會說，“朝鮮今天幾乎同時發射了四枚彈道導彈，飛行了大約一千公里。”他說，“其中三枚落在我國的專屬經濟區。”

日本官員稱朝鮮的導彈發射為嚴重威脅，并表示他們對擁有核武器的朝鮮提出“強烈抗議”。

安倍在議員們提問時說，“這些發射行動顯然違反了聯合國安理會的決議，這是一個極其危險的舉動。”

韓國軍方官員說，“多枚彈道導彈”是從朝鮮與中國接壤的通昌里地區發射的。他們沒有具體說明導彈的數量。

朝鮮此舉時值韓國和美國舉行聯合軍事演習，平壤認為這是為入侵朝鮮做準備。美韓軍演通常都會引起平壤的譴責和報復行動。

去年美韓演習期間，朝鮮發射了多枚中短程導彈，并稱其導彈上可以裝載核彈頭。

North Korea fired four ballistic missiles Monday, three of which landed in Japanese waters, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

"North Korea today fired four ballistic missiles almost simultaneously and they flew some 1,000 kilometers," Abe said in parliament. "Three of them landed in our country's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)."

Japanese officials described the launches as a grave threat and said they lodged "strong protests" with nuclear-armed North Korea.

"The launches are clearly in violation of Security Council resolutions. It is an extremely dangerous action," Abe said during lawmaker questions in parliament.

The South Korean military officials said "multiple ballistic missiles" were launched from the Tongchang-ri region near the North's border with China. They did not specify the number of missiles.

The move comes as South Korea and the United States are holding their joint military exercises, which Pyongyang sees as preparations for an invasion. The exercises usually draw condemnation and retribution from Pyongyang.

During last year's drills, North Korea fired multiple short to medium range missiles and announced it could place nuclear warheads on its weapons.

日本首相安倍晉三說，朝鮮發射了四枚彈道導彈，其中三枚落在日本水域。

安倍對日本議會說，“朝鮮今天幾乎同時發射了四枚彈道導彈，飛行了大約一千公里。”他說，“其中三枚落在我國的專屬經濟區。”

日本官員稱朝鮮的導彈發射為嚴重威脅，并表示他們對擁有核武器的朝鮮提出“強烈抗議”。

安倍在議員們提問時說，“這些發射行動顯然違反了聯合國安理會的決議，這是一個極其危險的舉動。”

韓國軍方官員說，“多枚彈道導彈”是從朝鮮與中國接壤的通昌里地區發射的。他們沒有具體說明導彈的數量。

朝鮮此舉時值韓國和美國舉行聯合軍事演習，平壤認為這是為入侵朝鮮做準備。美韓軍演通常都會引起平壤的譴責和報復行動。

去年美韓演習期間，朝鮮發射了多枚中短程導彈，并稱其導彈上可以裝載核彈頭。