SEOUL, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) fired off two projectiles, believed to be short-range missiles, eastward from its northwestern region Thursday afternoon, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

South Korean soldiers stand guard at the truce village of Panmunjom inside the demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas, South Korea, May 1, 2019.(File photo: VCG)

The unidentified projectiles were launched from an area in North Pyongan province, north of Pyongyang, at about 4:29 pm (0729 GMT) and 4:49 pm local time (0749 GMT).

The projectiles, presumed to be short-range missiles, traveled some 420 km and 270 km, respectively, in the direction of the east, the JCS said in a brief statement.

The intelligence authorities of South Korea and the United States were precisely analyzing the projectiles for further information.

The JCS said the South Korean military intensified surveillance and defense readiness in preparation for the possibly additional projectile launches, noting that it maintained full readiness in close cooperation with the United States.

It came just five days after the DPRK fired several short-range projectiles into the sea off its east coast Saturday.

The South Korean military believed that the short-range projectiles were fired from 240-mm and 300-mm multiple rocket launchers and a new type of tactical guided weapon.

Chung Eui-yong, top national security advisor for South Korean President Moon Jae-in, was closely monitoring the situations at the national crisis management center via video conference with the defense ministry and the JCS, the presidential Blue House said.