North Korea fires ballistic missiles towards the sea off its east coast

North Korea launched ballistic missiles on Sunday, the day the leader of rival South Korea starts a state visit to China, Pyongyang's chief ally, and just hours after the US attacked Venezuela.

The firings of at least two missiles, the country's first in two months, further heighten global tensions after US President Donald Trump launched the attack that captured President Nicolas Maduro.

South Korea said peace on the Korean peninsula would be on the agenda during President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Beijing, which will include a summit with his counterpart, Xi Jinping.